Defra maps out barriers to strategy on resilient water supplies

DEFRA has published a policy paper recapping the work going on to increase the resilience of water supplies.

It explained the water resources national framework is modelling multi-sector water needs to 2045 and beyond as well as exploring strategic solutions and addressing barriers to delivery.

This is being taken forward at regional level by five regional water resources planning groups, whose work will inform the next set of Water Resource Management Plans (WRMPs), to be published in draft in 2022.

Meanwhile, Ofwat, the Environment Agency and Drinking Water Inspectorate are developing RAPID – the regulators’ alliance for progressing infrastructure development. RAPID will oversee the portfolio of strategic schemes and identify and remove any barriers to ensure the aims of the national framework are acted on.

Once final WRMPs are approved, the developments that qualify as "nationally significant" will be processed as set out in the draft National Policy Statement.