13/04/06
Water Resources Briefing Paper 5
Since 1996 water companies in England and Wales have had a duty to promote water efficiency and help customers manage demand. In its 2004-05 security of supply report Ofwat recognised the creditable progress they have made and are continuing to make.
In the past 5 years over 270,000 supply pipes – connecting a property to the water main – were repaired, 2 million cistern devices distributed (to reduce unnecessarily high use of water for toilet flushing), and 15 million self-audit packs provided to help customers take steps themselves to use water more efficiently.
In November 2005, waterwise, an industry-funded conservation initiative, was launched to make the economic case for large scale action to at least stabilise demand within 5 years. Industry too is getting the message about how water can be used more efficiently to deliver environmental and financial benefits. In 2004 the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported that the water used in the production of each vehicle has fallen from 6200 to 4400 litres in two years.
Water UK represents and involves the whole industry in the national Water Saving Group set up by the Environment Minister Elliot Morley in 2005. The new partnership between government, Ofwat, the Environment Agency, CCWater and waterwise is providing important new ways of helping everyone use a precious resource more carefully.
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For more information please contact:
Barrie Clarke, Director of Communication
020 7344 1804 or
Bruce Horton, Policy Adviser
020 7344 1817
