RAPID has worked collaboratively with Ofwat and the water industry to explore areas of the regulatory and commercial framework required to support the development of the strategic water resource solutions.
RAPID’s 2023 consultation, ‘Enabling new resources – a consultation on commercial arrangements’, built on RAPID’s discussion document and consultation in 2021[1]. The 2023 consultation set out further thinking and assessment of policy options on commercial frameworks, specifically in relation to commercial / contractual models including bulk supply water transfer agreements and associated policy, such as charging.
RAPID has worked collaboratively with Ofwat and engaged with stakeholders (water industry, investors and supply chain) to explore further the issues raised to facilitate further policy development, and published the policy outcome document in June 2025.
As of summer 2025, Ofwat’s Major Projects team is leading work on commercial frameworks with RAPID engagement. Ofwat has established a webpage that will provide regular updates on further work and published guidance.
RAPID and Ofwat continue to engage with stakeholders including the water industry, investors and the supply chain to develop regulatory and commercial framework, including through the Regulatory and Commercial Steering Group.
[1] The regulatory and commercial framework for strategic water resource solutions – a discussion document – Ofwat and RAPID – The regulatory and commercial framework for strategic water resource solutions – a consultation – Ofwat.
Major Water Infrastructure Programme: combined gated process
In March 2026, RAPID began transitioning SROs to a new combined gated process that brings together the RAPID gates and Ofwat’s Major Projects stages under the Major Water Infrastructure Programme. Some schemes will move across gradually as part of this transition. Find out more here.
The Major Water Infrastructure Programme (MWIP) includes the 30 large-scale water infrastructure projects set out at PR24. The new MWIP combined gated process brings together RAPID’s oversight of early project development and Ofwat’s Major Projects team’s regulation of later stage delivery. RAPID and Ofwat’s Major Projects team continue to carry out their regulatory roles, now operating using this single, combined process that reduces duplication and helps critical infrastructure progress at pace while protecting customers and the environment.