Ofwat

How can local government leverage Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) to create towns and cities that are greener and more water-resilient? In this blog from Hannah Muirhead, Senior Associate in Ofwat’s Innovation team, Hannah reflects on her time working at the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU), a local government think tank and now at Ofwat to explore why local authorities should be implementing SuDS to reduce the risk of flooding, as well as create more green spaces, promote biodiversity, cool cities and enhance public wellbeing. With their local insights, planning powers and the ability to convene the right stakeholders, local authorities are in a unique position to make decisions that can have a huge impact on reducing flood risk and protecting towns and communities.  By accessing funding through the Ofwat Innovation Fund’s competitions, as well as learnings from projects currently working in this space, collaborative efforts between local authorities, water companies and other actors could bring wide-ranging benefits to communities and the environment.  Read the blog in full: https://lnkd.in/ej87Tds2 

Having worked in local government for eight years before moving into the water sector (at Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and now Ofwat), it's been a real joy to be able to do some work focused on the intersection of these two sectors and explore how closer collaboration can drive innovation that delivers real benefits for communities. As part of this work, I wrote a briefing for LGIU on how sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) can support local government priorities such as flood mitigation, local economic development, biodiversity and community wellbeing and highlighting the importance of local government collaboration with the water sector in delivering effective SuDS. https://lnkd.in/ejW4X-HM This is only available to LGIU members, but I also wrote a companion blog for the water sector on how water companies can support local government’s delivery of SuDS, and how cross-sector collaboration can help address shared challenges and unlock sustainable, innovative solutions. https://lnkd.in/eAmXujG3 Both pieces contain case studies from cutting edge projects supported by the Ofwat Innovation Fund that are being led by water companies in partnership with local authorities - demonstrating how this type of collaboration between water companies and councils is already driving impact. This was a real labour of love for me and hopefully just the beginning of this exploration! For those in local government, what would better collaboration with the water sector look like for you? And for those in water, how can you engage councils more effectively? I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

April sees the start of Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8) – the 2025-30 funding period for the water sector.   Our latest blog from RAPID Managing Director Paul Hickey sets out what we're looking to deliver over the next five years.   Find out more about what RAPID has achieved so far and our future ambitions in the full blog: https://lnkd.in/dcieG8wn   Environment Agency Ofwat Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI)

Our brilliant people are what make Ofwat work – which is why we work with each other's wellbeing in mind. Each team has developed a charter that agrees the best way to work – when it’s best to be in the office, and when they can choose to work remotely. This empowers everyone to manage their own time, creating a healthy work-life balance and boosting health and wellbeing. Come and work with us: https://lnkd.in/eW-Xh_6y

⚖️ Meet our Breakthrough 5 judges: Vanessa Speight Professor of Integrated Water Systems The University of Sheffield. With 30 years of experience in the water industry, Vanessa is an expert in drinking water quality, data analytics, public health risk, and urban water systems innovation. As the former Managing Director of TWENTY65, the EPSRC Grand Challenge Centre for Water, she led collaborative efforts to tackle future water challenges with over 100 stakeholder partners. She has worked with more than 70 utilities across the US and UK and has advised the USEPA on drinking water regulations. A Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health and Deputy Editor of the AWWA Water Science Journal, she is actively involved in shaping global water policy through various advisory panels. This fifth round of our Water Breakthrough Challenge will make up to £40 million available to highly-collaborative innovations in the water sector that aim to deliver benefits for customers, society and the environment. Find out more about our judges: https://lnkd.in/evTwMGkR #WBC5 is delivered alongside Challenge Works (Nesta), Arup & Isle Utilities

We are looking for a communications expert who is passionate about engaging internal audiences. You will lead and shape our internal engagement and communications strategy, ensuring it aligns with staff needs and requirements as well as the senior leadership’s vision for the organisation. You will be responsible for developing and managing our internal engagement channels, keeping them effective, engaging, and widely used by staff. This role offers a varied and dynamic workload, where no two days will be the same. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eQ6QFTJr

Join us in shaping the future of water resources. We are looking for a Director of Policy & Governance to join our Policy & Governance Team within Sector Performance Directorate. You will shape and deliver a range of key policies across the organisation and to monitor and oversee company performance against key governance obligations and guidance. You will build on the Board Leadership, Transparency and Governance approach developed by Ofwat for the water sector, strengthening our approach in areas, and further developing our approach to regulation in related topics. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eGddWD67 #Policy #Governance #WaterSector #CareerOpportunity  

"We are going to see big increases in water quality" Our Senior Director Chris Walters explained to Jon Kay on BBC Breakfast this morning about how the increases in water bills are going to pay for record levels of investment in the water industry that will benefit customers and the environment. You can learn more about the substantial improvements planned over the next five years, or how to get help if you are worried about paying your water bill: https://lnkd.in/eMFE-UKW

Our mission is to drive water companies to improve performance and deliver maximum value for customers, communities and the environment.    Our Forward Programme for 2025-26 sets out our activity for the next 12 months in support of this aim.    Thank you to all our stakeholders who contributed to our consultation, including attending the Turning the Tide conference – the insights shared have been instrumental in shaping our Forward Programme, helping to refine our approach and strengthen our strategic priorities.    As we move forward, we remain committed to ongoing collaboration with stakeholders. Working together will be key to delivering the outcomes set out in the Forward Programme and tackling the challenges ahead.     Read the Forward Programme: https://lnkd.in/eQQsJHv6  

We have a great opportunity for an experienced Regulatory Economist to join our Cost Assessment team. In December, we published our PR24 final determinations, which support record levels of spending by water companies: £104 billion over the next five years, giving the sector the opportunity for transformation, delivering better outcomes for customers and the environment. You will have a key role to play, working with other economist and engineers, in continuing the development of our price control deliverables policy and our approach to holding companies to account. Follow the link to find out more and apply by 23.55 on 17 April: