Affinity Water is seeking the views of customers on its long-term water resources management plan, before their 26 April deadline.
The plan details how much water is going to be needed by current and future generations and how the company will meet this need in the years ahead between 2020 and 2080, whilst continuing to support economic growth for the region.
Image: Affinity Water predicted supply shortfall Central Region
It also considers the impact of drought and climate change to ensure a thriving environment for the future, such as the protection of the region’s globally rare chalk streams.
With a rising population and some of the highest levels of water use in the country, the company is addressing the challenges of serving customers in an area the Government has designated as being under serious water stress.
Affinity Water customers currently use an average of 152 litres of water per person per day. This is higher than the national average consumption (for England and Wales) of 141 litres per person per day. The Affinity Water area is aslo one of the driest in the country. For example, between July 2016 and April 2017 the area received 33% less rainfall than the national average.
The population is growing and is expected to increase by 12% by 2025, 27% by 2045 and 51% by 2080. This is equivalent to approximately 1.8 million more people in the water company’s supply area.
The plans include:
- Helping customers reduce their water usage
- Fixing even more leaks
- Further improving rare chalk streams
- Building a new reservoir to store water
- Transferring water from another area via an existing canal
- Working with other water companies to solve the challenge.
Marie Whaley, Asset Strategy Director at Affinity Water said:
“Within the next five years and beyond there may not be enough water to meet increases in demand, unless we make some changes.
“Doing nothing is not an option. We need to act now to ensure there is enough for the future. We have a range of proposals to meet this challenge whilst providing customers with a high-quality water service.”
The public consultation, which is open to customers and stakeholder organisations, will be open until 26 April 2019.
Click here to download Affinity Water’s Revised Draft Water Resources Management Plan
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.