Waste not, want not – making the best use of our water
Water is essential to life, yet most of us take it for granted. We turn on the tap and clean, fresh water is there for us. But safeguarding reliable water supplies in an uncertain future will need new thinking. We will have to adapt to meet new challenges from climate change, population growth and changing lifestyles.
We want the water and wastewater sectors to secure our future water supplies, while keeping customers’ bills and environmental damage to a minimum. To achieve this, we must use water and other resources wisely. That means minimising waste, as well as taking water from – and returning it to – the environment at the right place and the right time.
One of the ways that we can minimise waste is to control leakage effectively. Stopping leakage is difficult and costly, and even if stopping it altogether were possible, it would result in much higher bills for customers. It would also mean higher social and environmental costs. On the other hand, leakage is wasteful if it is cheaper, and better for the environment, to reduce leaks than to collect and treat more water. Leakage has reduced significantly in the past fifteen years, but in the future the companies will need to do more to control leakage, and get better at doing it.
Most consumers have a responsible attitude to water, particularly in times of drought. But there are good reasons to think that we could use less water than we do now. Water companies will need to do more to encourage customers to use water more efficiently. This will help to maintain secure supplies, while keeping customers’ bills and environmental damage to a minimum.
Our 'Waste not, want not – making the best use of our water' focus report explores how we can contain the demands we put on our water system.
Download Waste not, want not – making the best use of our water
Further information
Water resource planning
- ‘Water resources planning guideline’, Environment Agency, November 2008.
- ‘The economics of balancing supply and demand’, UKWIR, June 2002.
Leakage
- ‘Review of leakage target setting’, RD 16/08, Ofwat, August 2008.
The Walker review and our responses
- ‘The independent review of charging for household water and sewerage services: Final report’, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, December 2009.
- ‘Ofwat’s response to the independent review of charging for household water and sewerage services’ (response to the interim Walker report), Ofwat, October 2009.
- ‘Ofwat’s response to the Walker review call for evidence’, Ofwat, February 2009.
Price review information
- ‘Future water and sewerage charges 2010-15: Final determinations’, Ofwat, November 2009.
- ‘Deliberative research concerning consumers’ priorities for PR09’, Water industry stakeholder steering group, 2008.
- ‘Water supply and demand policy’, PR09/20, Ofwat, December 2008.
Water and energy
- ‘Quantifying the energy and carbon effects of water saving: Summary report’, Environment Agency and Energy Saving Trust, 2009.
Water efficiency
- ‘Water efficiency and the water companies: A 2010 UK review’, Waterwise, March 2010.
