In the week when drought status has been declared across large parts of England, the Senior Water Demand Reduction Group confirmed by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rt Hon George Eustace MP, in his July 2021 written Ministerial statement has been wound up.

The Environment Minister's statement set out the following measures that the Government would be taking forward to support water efficiency in homes:

• Asking water companies to develop a consistent approach to address leakage on customers’ own pipes, as, over the last 10 years around 25% of total leakage has been from customer supply pipes;
• Make regulations to introduce a mandatory water efficiency label to inform consumers and encourage the purchase of more water efficient products for both domestic and business use. We will consider the potential to achieve energy savings, as well as further water savings, and explore how these can be achieved in a way that minimises the impact on consumers;
• Write to local authorities to encourage them to adopt the optional minimum building standard of 110 litres per person per day in all new builds where there is a clear local need, such as in water stressed areas; and
• In 2022 develop a roadmap towards greater water efficiency in new developments and retrofits, including the exploration of revised building regulations and how the development of new technologies can contribute to meeting these standards. We will ensure that the underlying legislation can, where appropriate, accommodate any potential future expansion of rainwater harvesting, water re-use and storage options.

“Waterwise has agreed to chair a group of industry experts, reporting to me regularly, that will track delivery of these stretching commitments”

Announcing the new measures on 1st July 2021, George Eustace said in the statement:

“These measures, along with the actions of water companies, will support the delivery the ambitions set out in the National Framework to reduce personal water consumption to 110 litres per person per day by 2050, without affecting the quality of life and the enjoyment of water used by households.

“Waterwise has agreed to chair a group of industry experts, reporting to me regularly, that will track delivery of these stretching commitments.”

“This work will support the measures set out in the Environment Bill to further help us secure long-term, resilient water and wastewater services, making sure that we have a cleaner, greener and more resilient country for the next generation.’

Just over 12 months since the statement, Nicci Russell, Managing Director of water efficiency campaigning organisation Waterwise, has announced that the Senior Water Demand Reduction Group (SWDRG) for England, which she had been asked to chair by Defra has been closed. This follows comments made to the Group by former Water Minister at Defra Rebecca Pow that measures already in train in England will be enough to tackle the deficit.

Former Water Minister said measures already in train in England will be enough to tackle the deficit - against SWDRG advice

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Nicci Russell, Waterwise MD and independent Chair of the now former SWDRG said:

“We have set out clear recommendations for government, regulators and the industry. We must reduce our water use for the environment, people and the economy – we can’t carry on as we are.The SWDRG has been clear all along that existing commitments will not be enough to do this.”

“Unfortunately, against the advice of the Group, the former Minister told us that she believes measures already in train in England will be enough to tackle the deficit. Similarly, we have seen little evidence of Ofwat engaging with the Group’s recommendations for its own regulation, particularly in setting the next price review for water companies through PR24.

“We are right in the heart of climate change this summer, seeing it with our own eyes and in our own dry lawns. Without further action, this will only get worse.”

In December 2021 Nicci Russell wrote to Defra Ministers and the CEOs of Ofwat, the Environment Agency and the wholesale water companies operating in England setting out on the record a clear suite of recommendations for government, regulators and the industry to take urgent action on.

The report welcomed government commitments, including a statutory water demand target and a mandatory water efficiency label for products.

However, it also set out a raft of measures to help meet the level of demand management required to ensure essential water resilience in England, including government and regulatory policy to drive down water use in homes, buildings and businesses.

It also called on government and the sector to centre water efficiency in work to tackle and adapt to the climate crisis, and to support a change in customer behaviour. Finally, it urged that the level of ambition in the Environment Act demand target be set at a level higher than existing ambition, to drive further action.

Waterwise said it will continue to challenge government, regulators, and the sector – in September the water efficiency organisation will launch its new UK Water Efficiency Strategy for the UK, which sets out a number of strategic objectives to drive ambitious water efficiency, developed with the input and engagement of the sector.

The SWDRG comprised leaders from across the English water sector as follows:

• Richard Benwell, CEO, Blueprint for Water
• Emma Clancy, CEO, Consumer Council for Water
• Stuart Colville, Director of Policy, Water UK
• Anne Dacey, Deputy Director, Environment Agency [Observer status]
• Jo Dow, CEO, Business Stream, representing UK Water Retailers Council
• Daniel Johns, Managing Director, Water Resources East Chair, UKWESSG
• Sarah McMath, CEO, MOSL (Deputy Chair)
• Davide Minotti, Deputy Director, Defra [Observer status]
• Carl Pheasey, Director, Ofwat [Observer status]
• Nicci Russell, MD, Waterwise (Chair)
• Stew Horne, CEO, EST

Click here to read Nicci Russell’s letter to Ministers dated 9 December 2021

Click here to read the July 2021 written Ministerial statement by Environment Secretary Rt Hon George Eustace MP