Major Water Infrastructure Programme (MWIP)

Ofwat’s MWIP brings the largest UK water projects (typically £200m+) into a single, structured pipeline — from concept through to procurement and delivery.

Crucially, many MWIP schemes are expected to be delivered through competitive models like Direct Procurement for Customers (DPC) — opening the door to:

  • increased competition;
  • private finance; and 
  • consortia-led contracting strategies.

These are all explored in our previous DPC article - here 

For contractors, the key takeaway is simple - this is where the next decade of major water infrastructure work is being shaped.

One process, clearer route to market 

MWIP introduces a combined gated process, aligning RAPID (early-stage development) and Ofwat (procurement and delivery oversight) into a single framework. This means clearer decision points, better visibility over pipeline progression and reduced duplication and delay.

In practical terms - contractors can track schemes earlier and position before procurement formally launches.

Strategic Resource Options (SROs)

At the centre of MWIP sits a defined set of Strategic Resource Options (SROs) representing the sector’s most significant future-facing infrastructure schemes.

SROs are typically nationally or regionally significant and complex, long-lead projects including reservoirs, inter-regional transfer schemes and water recycling/desalination projects. They exist to solve real system pressures such as climate change, drought resilience, population growth, increased demand and constraints on abstraction.

This is not speculative pipeline — these projects are central to future network resilience.

Key SROs progressing towards DPC

A small but growing number of SROs are already progressing into DPC territory.

Confirmed / actively progressing:

  • Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (UU), ~£3bn, first DPC precedent-setting scheme;
  • Cwm Taf Water Supply Strategy (Welsh Water), ~£600m+, actively being taken forward under a DPC delivery model; and
  • Hampshire Water Transfer & Recycling (Southern / Portsmouth), ~£1bn+, strong indicators of DPC suitability.

Strong pipeline candidates - South East Strategic Reservoir (Thames Water), Thames to Southern Transfer (ST / TW), London Water Recycling (Thames Water), Grand Union Canal Transfer (Affinity Water) and Minworth (Severn Trent).

What this means for contractors

Follow the SROs - early positioning matters. MWIP gives visibility long before procurement starts.

Expect consortium-based delivery - DPC favours integrated teams combining construction, design and financing capability.

Prepare for different risk models – DPC structures shift financing risk, performance obligations and lifecycle accountability.

An AMP8+ opportunity - only a handful of SROs are confirmed but volume will significantly ramp up through AMP8 and beyond.

Conclusion

The direction of travel under MWIP is clear - SROs define the pipeline, MWIP provides the structure and DPC is increasingly the route to delivery.

SROs are moving steadily from development into procurement, and as they do, DPC is becoming the model through which many of these schemes will be delivered.

For contractors, the message is - track the SROs and align to DPC as this is where future opportunities will emerge.

To explore how SROs could shape your upcoming infrastructure opportunities, please contact Sara Milne or Stuart Murray at Brodies.

Contributor

Stuart Murray

Partner