Meeting regional and national water resources needs: gap analysis of the current strategic infrastructure scheme portfolio

Tender description

This project is a desk top study. It is a high level review intended to identify potential current and future opportunities. It is not expected to provide detailed cost information; rather, a high level assessment of potential; estimated timescales to implementation; and an indication of costs and benefits with the consideration given to how they may be best funded for the wider public good. We can facilitate contacts with the appropriate water resources, flood risk management and navigation leads at the Environment Agency and at Canals and Rivers Trust, but the review of opportunities does not need to be constrained to these parties only; we welcome further insights from consultants with relevant expertise.Identify options considered but not included in the water companies' final WRMPs, which could have wider regional or national benefit.Review unconstrained options lists from relevant WRMPs.Identify any options with benefit of or above 20 Ml/d which did not make it to companies' preferred plans. Review and categorise the reasons for elimination of each scheme; and consider whether a different decision would have been made if the scheme was considered in the regional/national/multi-user interest instead of a single company's.Identify and review opportunities for increasing and sharing resources that might exist outside the public water supply in England and Wales. (Note: for completeness, this task will be supported by the Environment Agency who has committed to provide a high level assessment on water available for further abstraction in England. We'd expect the consultants to form a high level view - informed by discussion with NRW - of water that may be available for abstraction and transfer from Wales).Identify potential partners from sectors outside of public water supply whose assets could have potential to increase water availability (such as - but not limited to - owners of navigation and flood risk management assets). Gather the necessary information on potential options for supply and transfers, and make a high level assessment of feasibility of these options. This task is envisaged to focus on scoping future opportunities for multi-functional use of flood risk and navigation assets; however, we are also interested in an informed view on any opportunities/options for water resources that might exist currently Present findings and recommendations in the draft report, to be shared with the steering group and other interested stakeholders including regional water resource groups and partners identified during the review. The report should include a high level assessment of potential for water resources; estimated timescales to implementation; a high level indication of costs and benefits; and a consideration of potential sources of funding outside of the public water sector.Produce final report and hold a dissemination workshop.