Energy Saving Trust and Waterwise have developed guidance to encourage water companies and Green Deal providers to work in partnership on joint energy and water efficiency delivery for UK householders.
The guidance highlights why water efficiency in energy saving programmes should now be considered core business.
With the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation approaching their launch dates, both Waterwise and the Trust emphasise the important role that water efficiency has to play in any energy efficiency delivery scheme.
The Guidance was developed with input from water, energy and housing sector stakeholders, and quantifies that water efficiency will result in household energy bill and carbon savings. The Guidance aims to help Green Deal / ECO schemes achieve the following:
· Integrate water devices in energy efficiency installation in homes - to further reduce household energy bills and carbon emissions for scheme providers
· Increase the amount and quality of customer engagement on water use and potential savings - helping people save water through behaviour, which is as important as installing water-efficiency measures
· Increase the in-home delivery of water-saving devices for the water sector – increasing resilience to climate change (and potentially cutting water bills too, where a home is metered for water)
The Guidance also outlines the device options and advice content which can help improve sustainable water use, while also saving money on family energy bills.
Andrew Tucker, water expert at the Energy Saving Trust said:
“This report shows why water should be at the heart of energy efficiency delivery in the UK. There is a great opportunity for Green Deal and ECO schemes to include assistance from the local water company and make water efficiency a prominent part of their Green Deal offering. There’s no reason why it can’t be a win: win for both the organisations involved and more importantly the consumer.”
Nicci Russell, Policy Director at Waterwise said:
“Water efficiency reduces household bills, carbon emissions and water use. Our Guidance sets out simple measures and advice which can be included in energy efficiency programmes at low cost.
“We recommend that Green Deal Providers, local authorities and housing associations work with water companies to include water efficiency as a key part of the energy efficiency services they offer to households. Including water savings in Green Deal and ECO schemes will result in higher savings and more attractive offer.”
The Guidance was funded as a water industry Club Project by Anglian Water, Dee Valley Water, Defra, Northumbrian Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Thames Water and United Utilities.
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.