Waterwise. the leading UK authority on water efficiency, has published its draft UK Water Efficiency Strategy to 2030 – and says that delivering the Strategy could save at least 1,500 million litres of water per day by 2030.

The cross-sector strategy developed by the independent, not-for-profit organisation sets out 10 clear strategic objectives to deliver greater water efficiency nationally by 2030.

Introducing the strategy, Waterwise says the UK’s water resources are under increasing pressure and using water more efficiently can help to secure future water supplies and adapt to climate change, together with improving the natural environment and helping the country to reach Net Zero.

The strategy cites the latest evidence in the Environment Agency’s policy paper published in 2020 Meeting our future water needs: a national framework for water resources which indicates that England alone faces a water deficit, by 2050, of over 4,000 Ml/d (million litres a day) Over half of the deficit is earmarked to be met by reducing water use and leakage including nearly 1,000 Mld from water efficiency actions.

The 10 strategic objectives are:

1. All UK Governments and regulators show clear, visible leadership for water efficiency and reflect this in their policy and regulatory frameworks.
2. People and organisations have access to useful and timely information on their water consumption and potential for savings.
3. People and organisations are aware of why we need to use water wisely and how to do it. Water-saving campaigns are effective; they are consistently evaluated with the learnings shared and used.
4. People value water through life-long learning about water and how to use it wisely.
5. Water efficiency advice and support is inclusive and is helping people in vulnerable circumstances, including in financial hardship.
6. All new developments are much more water-efficient and are water-neutral in water-stressed or water scarce areas.
7. Water efficiency measures are included in building retrofit programmes, including to achieve net zero.
8. People and organisations are fitting water-efficient products and making use of a mandatory water efficiency label. The take up of innovative water-saving products is increasing.
9. Leaking toilets and confusing dual-flush buttons are a thing of the past.
10. Organisations are more motivated to save water and the delivery of water-saving advice and support to them is working well.

"Vital we accelerate progress over the next decade"

Nicci Russell, Managing Director, Waterwise said:

“While there’s been uncertainty about the pandemic, and whether or not the shift in water use from the workplace to homes we saw in 2020 will continue, what is certain is that there is an urgent need to reduce demand for water.

“Not just in homes, but across all of society - and we need to see leadership and action to step up to this challenge.

“We want to see water efficiency actions hand-inhand with the climate crisis - net zero and climate change mitigation and adaptation. We have focused this strategy through to 2030 because it’s vital we accelerate progress over the next decade.”

Key features of the strategy include:

• Why water demand needs to reduce - so everyone has an understanding of the challenges faced across the UK.
• The reasons for the objectives that have been set so that everyone can play a part in achieving - what needs to change, who needs to be involved and how Waterwise will track progress.
• How Waterwise will monitor delivery of the strategy - ensuring accountability, providing assurance that the right level of progress is being made and that intended outcomes are being achieved.

Daniel Johns, Chair of the WaterEfiiciency Strategy Steering Group commented:

“With the impacts of climate change being increasingly felt, and a cross-sector statutory water consumption target being set under the Environment Act, achieving the vision for a water efficient UK has never been more important.”

The water efficiency NGO is inviting comments on the strategy objectives and ideas for how they can be achieved, as well as encouraging more organisations to join in actively pursuing the vision of a water efficient UK.

Deadline to submit comments is Friday 8 July – click here for more information and to respond to the consultation online.