DWMP28 development
For DWMP28, the latest government guidance has set out a wider scope, greater expectations, and increased future deliverables. We’ll work together to shape the plan through nine stages. This started in Spring 2025, and will lead to our first draft in November 2027, with the final plan to be published in August 2028.
Nine-stage development process and timeline
Stage 1 - Collaboration
Stakeholder engagement is at the heart of a DWMP and runs throughout its development. We'll be engaging with stakeholders at national, regional and local levels. Throughout every stage of the development process, we'll be working collaboratively.
Stage 2 - Strategic context
This stage sets the foundation for our DWMP by defining scope and key parameters. It outlines how we’ll measure value and benefits, while capturing future challenges and trends. Developed with stakeholders, the Strategic Context ensures alignment and clarity from the start.
Stage 3 - Options toolkit
In this planning stage we consider the full range of solution options including operations and maintenance. We can use this to address the risks to our current or future services. It also defines the cost-benefit assessment. This helps us make sure our final solution options are the best value. We'll work with stakeholders to develop this toolkit.
Stage 4 - Risk-based planning
This stage covers the planning approach we'll take to define risks at a catchment level. We'll consider long-term strategic issues, future trends, and recent performance. This will show us where there's a need for interventions. We'll also identify where plans may overlap within our business, or with stakeholders, for consistency and efficiency.
Stage 5 - Prepare tools
In this stage we define the monitoring and analysis tools we need. We'll use them to assess the current and future performance of our drainage and wastewater system. They'll also identify best value options for reducing potential risks.
Stage 6 - Risk and options
This is a detailed risk assessment stage combined with solution option development. It helps us understand the level of risk to our wastewater service over time, and develops a set of 'best value' solutions to address them. Best value means including broader factors for us to consider and measure. These include benefits for customers, communities and biodiversity across our region.
Stage 7 - Preferred plan
This planning stage considers how we'll deliver the proposed interventions. It covers investment decisions, sources of funding, and resourcing of the programme delivery. We'll also consider implications for future operations and maintenance activity requirements.
We'll publish our draft DWMP28 in November 2027. This will be available for a 12-week public consultation.
Stage 8 - Reporting
This stage is the final step in the preparation of DWMP where our plans are summarised in accessible narratives. DWMP is published as a draft for consultation, followed by a final plan incorporating feedback. Annual progress reports are prepared in the lead up to final publications.
Stage 9 - Review
Once our DWMP is published in 2028, we will carry out an annual review to keep it up to date and reflect any material changes ahead of the five-year revision cycle. This statutory requirement, under Section 94A of the Water Industry Act, ensures our plan remains current and responsive to changing circumstances.
