Water Regulation at a Crossroads: Enabling Innovation, Private Participation, and Resilient Growth

The water and wastewater sector is at a crossroads, facing escalating pressures from population growth, water scarcity, and pollution, but also unprecedented opportunities for renewal. This keynote will explore how policymakers and regulators can enable innovation, mobilize private participation, and attract sustainable finance to strengthen resilience and performance. Drawing lessons from the reset process in England and Wales and global experiences, it will highlight how effective, transparent, and independent regulation is critical to safeguard the long-term sustainability of the services and success of public-private partnerships. By turning regulation into a catalyst for trust, investment, and innovation, the sector can deliver resilient and inclusive water services fit for the future.