The annual National Debate on Resilience in the Water Sector is a free online event hosted by Cranfield University and organised by the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Water Infrastructure and Resilience (CDT WIRe). Each year we focus on an important topic or challenge facing the water sector.
This year, we will be diving into regulation in the water sector.
The publication of the Independent Water Commission Final Report (the ‘Cunliffe Review’) in 2025 has placed a spotlight on regulation of the UK water sector. With 88 wide-ranging recommendations, the Review proposed one of the most substantial reforms of the water sector in decades, including governance, monitoring, and environmental protection. The 2026 National Debate will explore how regulatory change could reshape the industry’s operating environment and support the delivery of resilient, sustainable water services.
The questions posed for the debate will be:
• What would the perfect regulator look like?
• How to establish innovative governance in the sector?
• Does regulation act as a driver for growth or a constraint?
Keynote speakers from across environmental water management, policy, and regulation will share their insights on the future of the sector and how it can adapt to a more complex and demanding regulatory landscape. Participants are encouraged to get involved in the discussion and share their own questions and comments.
This year, we will be diving into regulation in the water sector.
The publication of the Independent Water Commission Final Report (the ‘Cunliffe Review’) in 2025 has placed a spotlight on regulation of the UK water sector. With 88 wide-ranging recommendations, the Review proposed one of the most substantial reforms of the water sector in decades, including governance, monitoring, and environmental protection. The 2026 National Debate will explore how regulatory change could reshape the industry’s operating environment and support the delivery of resilient, sustainable water services.
The questions posed for the debate will be:
• What would the perfect regulator look like?
• How to establish innovative governance in the sector?
• Does regulation act as a driver for growth or a constraint?
Keynote speakers from across environmental water management, policy, and regulation will share their insights on the future of the sector and how it can adapt to a more complex and demanding regulatory landscape. Participants are encouraged to get involved in the discussion and share their own questions and comments.
Event Programme
| 14:00-14:10 |
Welcome addresses and introduction to the event Chair: Heather Smith (Cranfield University) Co-Chair: Peter Jarvis (Cranfield University) |
| 14:10-15:00 |
Keynote sessions - 10-minutes each
•Paul Leinster,Pier Consultants Limited |
| 15:15-16:15 |
Debate session keynote speakers + additional panelists •CDT WIRe PhD students |
| 16:15-16:30 | Closing remarks |
