Minutes Programmes Stream Water

Stream Steering Group March Meeting Summary

JH
Janice Holloway 23 March 2026

A Stream Steering Group was convened on 2026-03-10. The Steering Group comprises experts that represent [Stream] water companies, regulators, research, innovation bodies and government. Co-chaired by Icebreaker One and NWL, the group’s primary function is to help provide leadership and market signalling. 

Meeting Aims 

  1. Sign off Q2 outcomes and priority use case
  2. Align on bids process criteria for incoming bids

Summary:

  • It was agreed that:
    • Q2 strategic business priorities include: (endorsed by members after this meeting)
      • defining Stream’s 12‑month ambition and roadmap
      • continuing development of the Change Champion network
      • establishing a clearer process for supporting funding bids
      • progressing the Open Data maturity assessment plan.
    • The first prioritised Water Efficiency use case for this year will be Water Situation Reports.
  • It was noted that:
    • Co-ordination will be required with the Environment Agency for the water situation report (as the report is owned by the EA)
    • Growing demand for Stream support on shared data use cases highlights the need for a clearer triage and prioritisation approach.
    • Members and observers felt there were certain items that should be taken into consideration, such as scope clarification (open vs shared data), the importance of FOI/EIR alignment, and maintaining opt‑in/opt‑out flexibility.
    • Energy sector learnings highlight the importance of common pattern libraries and Trust Frameworks to minimise cost and legal complexity.
    • Cross‑sector use cases may present future opportunities and should be considered in long‑term design thinking.
  • It was discussed that:
    • The bids process requires refinement, including criteria such as value, repeatability, resource impact, technology implications, and avoiding parallel infrastructures.
    • A scoring matrix for shared data use cases could include economic, social and environmental value, friction reduction, legal complexity, and organisational readiness.
    • A Trust Framework model separating identity assurance from Scheme rules could lower future cost and improve cross‑sector interoperability.
    • Sector legal engagement will be challenging but early use case examples could build confidence and reduce friction.
    • Further knowledge‑sharing and workshops are needed to deepen understanding of Trust Frameworks and scheme governance.

Next meeting: Tuesday 21 April 2026 10:00-12:00 BST

Formal records, including attendees, are maintained by the secretariat. 

These are confidential to the Steering Group Members.