The UK water sector is entering one of the most ambitious periods of infrastructure investment in its history. Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, organisations are being asked to deliver major improvements in resilience, environmental performance and operational efficiency—all within increasingly demanding timescales.
To better understand the challenges facing the sector, RSE surveyed professionals from across the UK water industry and wider supply chain. The findings reveal a sector under growing pressure—but also one increasingly open to new approaches.
To find out more, RSE commissioned an industry survey of professionals from across the UK water sector and its wider delivery ecosystem, including water companies, contractors, consultants and technology providers. The findings reveal growing pressure from skills shortages, ageing assets, compliance requirements and the need to deliver more projects, more quickly.
One message emerged consistently throughout the research: while the challenges facing the sector are increasing, so too is the appetite for new approaches to delivery.
Delivering More with Less
The report highlights growing concerns around the industry’s ability to deliver ambitious infrastructure programmes at the pace required.
Among water company respondents, 56% identified cost pressures as a key delivery challenge, while 46% highlighted the speed of programme delivery. Elsewhere, 54% of respondents cited workforce and skills shortages as a major barrier to infrastructure delivery.
These findings point to a wider industry challenge. Success is no longer determined solely by funding availability or technical capability. Increasingly, organisations are asking how they can deliver more work, with constrained resources, while maintaining quality, safety and performance.
Why Modular Delivery Is Moving Up the Agenda
One of the most compelling findings from the research is the growing confidence in modular and offsite delivery approaches.
Almost all respondents (96%) said they were familiar with modular construction, while 90% believe it can help organisations meet current regulatory and infrastructure delivery commitments.
The research suggests the conversation is evolving. The question is no longer whether modular delivery has a role to play, but where it can deliver the greatest value.
From reducing programme risk and shortening delivery timescales to supporting future resilience and digital integration, modular approaches are increasingly being viewed as a practical response to many of the challenges facing the sector today.
What Happens Next?
The full report, Modular by Design: Closing the Delivery Gap, explores the findings in greater detail, including:
- The growing pressure on infrastructure delivery programmes
- Workforce and skills challenges
- The rise of modular construction
- Ageing assets and resilience
- Digital readiness and cybersecurity
- Compliance and environmental performance
Together, these insights paint a picture of a sector facing significant challenges—but also one actively seeking smarter, more efficient ways to overcome them.
Be Among the First to Read the Findings
Register your interest to receive Modular by Design: Closing the Delivery Gap when it is released and gain exclusive insight into the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of water infrastructure delivery.
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