Consultation: the future of RAPID

Overview

The Regulators' Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) is consulting on its future role in delivering major water infrastructure in England. 

This consultation responds to Recommendation 75 of the Independent Water Commission's 2025 report and the Government's White Paper, A New Vision for Water (January 2026).

What we're asking

We're seeking views on four areas: 

1. Whether RAPID's scope should expand beyond water supply to include wastewater and other strategically important projects 

2. What criteria should determine which projects receive RAPID oversight 

3. How RAPID can better align with planning and procurement processes to reduce delays and duplication 

4. How RAPID's delivery role should work alongside new regional water planning arrangements 

This consultation covers England only. We will consult separately on RAPID's remit in Wales. 

How to respond

We encourage you to respond via the form below, by clicking 'Share your views.' Please read the consultation documentation before responding. 

If, for any reason, you cannot use the form, you can use the response template linked below and email it to rapid@ofwat.gov.uk.

Note that responses may be published. If you would prefer your response to remain confidential, please indicate this clearly. 

We will publish an outcome document after the consultation, expected in autumn 2026.