Change of https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/water-resources-planning-guideline

Change description : 2026-04-02 10:00:00: The Water Resources Planning guideline has been updated to include changes to process, approaches and updated links to associated guidance, research and documents. A public consultation was run in Autumn 2025 on proposed updates to the guidance. Responses to the consultation have now been considered and changes made to the updated guidance. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2023-04-14 12:34:42.909054082 +00:00..2026-04-02 09:00:47.100398528 +00:00

Guidance

Water resources planning guideline

For water companies in England and Wales to use for developing their water resources management plan. Also relevant to those producing regional plans.

From:
Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, and The Water Services Regulation Authority
Published
24 February 2021
Last updated
142 April 20232026 — See all updates

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Water resources planning guideline

HTML

Details

If you are a water company in England or Wales, you must prepare and maintain a water resources management plan (WRMP). Your WRMP sets out how you intend to achieve a secure supply of water for your customers and a protected and enhanced environment.

The duty to prepare and maintain a WRMP is set out in sections 37A to 37D of the Water Industry Act 1991 . You must prepare a plan at least every 5 years and review it annually.

Updates to this page

Published 24 February 2021
Last updated 142 April 2023 + show2026 href="#full-history">+ show all updates

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Update history

2026-04-02 10:00
The Water Resources Planning guideline has been updated to include changes to process, approaches and updated links to associated guidance, research and documents. A public consultation was run in Autumn 2025 on proposed updates to the guidance. Responses to the consultation have now been considered and changes made to the updated guidance.

2023-04-14 13:34
Following receipt of water company draft water resources management plans and policy changes we have updated our guidance. We consulted water companies on the proposed changes earlier in 2023.

2022-07-22 10:06
Added version clarification to the water resources planning guideline. This version, published 4 April 2022, reflects version 10 of the water resources planning guideline (updated December 2021) PDF document.

2022-04-04 11:09
Updates made to all sections to provide clarification and reflect changes in legislation.