The calendar
The statutory dates that decide what can be done, and by when. Miss the window and the lever is gone until the next cycle.
| When | What | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn 2026 | Ofwat's first PR24 delivery assessment. | Forthcoming |
| 15 Oct 2026 | Bathing-water designation application deadline (Defra) — for the 2027 or 2028 season. | Forthcoming42 days |
| Dec 2026 | Draft River Basin Management Plan — six-month consultation opens. | Statutory |
| 1 Apr 2027 | First pollution incident reduction plan implementation reports. | Statutory |
| 30 Apr 2027 | Latest allowable completion date for catchment investigations feeding the 2030–35 programme. | Statutory |
| 1 Nov 2027 | South West Water's draft Drainage & Wastewater Management Plan — twelve-week consultation. | Statutory |
| 22 Dec 2027 | Final River Basin Management Plans published. | Statutory |
Where there is no window at all
There is no public route to put a scheme on the environment programme, no right to be consulted on an individual discharge permit, and no third-party right of appeal against one. The counter-lever is the Environmental Information Regulations 2004: water companies are public authorities under them, and emissions information cannot be withheld on grounds of commercial confidentiality. A well-framed information request is often the only door that opens.
Statutory dates are drawn from the responsible bodies (Defra, the Environment Agency, Ofwat, South West Water). The 15 October bathing-water deadline is confirmed against Defra's current designation guidance; consultation windows may shift.