# Water in brief — Tuesday 3 November 2026

> Regulators sketch a more regional, company-specific PR29, the EA warns of possible irrigation bans next spring, and Ofwat moves on customer-side leakage.

Published Tuesday, 3 November 2026 by The Water Wire (The Current). Canonical: https://waterwire.co.uk/brief/2026-11-03

## 1. Regulators set out a more company-specific, regional approach for PR29

Topic: Regulation & policy

Five regulators have published their first joint outline of the next price review. It puts more weight on regional evidence, asset health and 25-year pathways, with business plans due in 2028.

Full story: https://waterwire.co.uk/story/regulators-set-out-pr29-approach

Original source: [Water Magazine](https://www.watermagazine.co.uk/2026/11/03/regulators-set-out-plans-for-more-flexible-company-specific-pr29/)

## 2. EA warns that a dry winter could mean irrigation bans in spring 2027

Topic: Environment & performance

If winter rainfall reaches only 60% of average, many farm reservoirs won't refill and widespread abstraction limits are likely.

Full story: https://waterwire.co.uk/story/ea-warns-of-irrigation-restrictions-in-2027

Original source: [Water Magazine](https://www.watermagazine.co.uk/2026/11/03/environment-agency-warns-of-further-irrigation-restrictions-in-2027/)

## 3. Ofwat names judges for its £5m customer-side leakage competition

Topic: Investment & infrastructure

WEL2 targets the estimated 1–1.5 billion litres a day lost in homes and businesses. Winners are due in April 2027.

Full story: https://waterwire.co.uk/story/ofwat-wel2-customer-side-leakage-judges

Original source: [Water Magazine](https://www.watermagazine.co.uk/2026/11/03/ofwat-appoints-judges-for-5m-customer-side-leakage-innovation-competition/)