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Climate change

England Faces Severe Water Shortfall by 2055

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

By 2055, England's public water supply is expected to face a staggering shortfall of 5 billion litres per day, requiring significant societal and cultural change, according to experts. The Environment Agency has called on water companies to slash 60% of this deficit through demand management and leak reduction, while boosting supply through new reservoirs and water transfer schemes. However, a strategic response from the government, regulators, and water companies is lacking, and the average person in the UK consumes 142 litres of water per day, compared to 78 litres in Slovakia and 300 litres in Switzerland.

Key Takeaways:

  • By 2055, England's public water supply will face a shortfall of 5 billion litres per day, calling for a societal and cultural shift.
  • The Environment Agency requires water companies to save 60% of the 5 billion litres shortfall through demand management and leak reduction.
  • Currently, only 12% of households in England have smart meters fitted, despite these being considered the best way to cut household consumption.
  • Countries with established drought conditions, such as Australia and Cyprus, have implemented successful systems for rainwater collection and greywater reuse, reducing consumption by up to 50%.
  • Experts say the average person in the UK can cut their water use to 80 litres per day by harvesting rainwater or greywater and reusing it.
  • Alastair Chisholm, Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management chief executive, calls for a national rainwater management strategy and mandatory water efficiency in new homes.
  • David Black, Ofwat chief executive, urges individuals to reduce water use by shortening shower times, collecting rainwater, and turning off taps.

Statistics:

  • By 2055, England's public water supply will face a shortfall of 5 billion litres per day.
  • Water companies aim to save 60% (3 billion litres) of this deficit through demand management and leak reduction, and 40% (2 billion litres) through boosting supply.
  • Currently, the average person in the UK consumes 142 litres of water per day, compared to 78 litres in Slovakia and 300 litres in Switzerland.
  • Only 12% of households in England have smart meters fitted.
  • In Cyprus, greywater reuse reduces consumption in households by 50%.
  • Alastair Chisholm estimates that harvesting rainwater or greywater and reusing it can cut individual water use to 80 litres per day.
  • The UK government aims to cut individual water use to 122 litres per day by 2037-38.

Sources:

  • Ofwat
  • Affinity Water
  • The Rivers Trust
  • Mark Lloyd, chief executive of The Rivers Trust
  • Alastair Chisholm, chief executive of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management
  • The Guardian

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