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Water

The UK water sector is heavily regulated and is facing significant change. We have extensive experience of advising water utilities and regulators.

We work with our clients to identify the best and most appropriate procurement strategy and contractual mechanism to ensure projects are delivered economically and efficiently. We provide practical and commercial legal advice and guide multi-disciplinary teams through complex procurement, negotiation and due diligence processes.

We have advised on:

  • Direct procurement for customers
  • Procurement under the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016
  • Construction matters for major water infrastructure
  • Service agreements to support water
  • Submissions to regulators as part of regular price control processes
  • Application of competition law
  • Economic regulatory issues
  • Bulk supplies
  • Bespoke major schemes, including Thames Tideway Tunnel

Our team has advised on some of the most significant and complex infrastructure deals to close in the last decade including on Thames Tideway Tunnel. The team has an enviable reputation nationally.

We advise on all the core areas relevant to water projects, including procurementreal estateplanningconstruction contracts, structuring and funding of projects.

We can also support you on related aspects, including environmental regulation and dispute resolution.

Work highlights

  • We acted for Thames Water supporting and developing the £4.2 billion Thames Tideway Tunnel project.
  • We advised Bazalgette Tunnel Limited (Tideway) on their construction arrangements and post licence award procurement and commercial issues.
  • We represent a regulatory body developing a new form of private financing solution in the water sector for major infrastructure.
  • We are advising a water utility company developing a c.£100m new reservoir – including developing construction and procurement documents.
  • We are advising a water utility company putting in place an innovative form of bulk supply agreement – including regulatory and commercial agreements.
  • We have assisted a number of water companies in providing submissions to Ofwat at multiple Price Reviews.

Overview As the demand for sustainable water management grows, water companies are turning to smart metering technology to improve efficiency, reduce waste and enhance customer service.  Not only does smart metering offer increased operational efficiency for water providers, but it also represents a crucial step in creating more sustainable water management systems and addressing rising…

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It is easy to get lost in headlines about regulators being abolished and water company profiteering. However, the Independent Water Commission’s final report, chaired by Sir Jon Cunliffe and published on 21 July 2025, sets out the most ambitious overhaul of the UK water sector since privatisation. With 88 formal recommendations, the Cunliffe Report outlines…

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Is it Time for Public Sector Major Infrastructure Debt Guarantor? Ofwat, Government and Industry have identified that the UK’s water sector urgently needs substantial investment to modernise ageing infrastructure, tackle critical environmental issues, and comply with increasingly stringent regulations. The capital requirement could be as much as £12 billion per year. Recent high-profile incidents of…

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To find out how we can help you, please contact us today