Water UK

What climate change means to the water industry

22/03/07

World Water Day

Water is in the frontline when it comes to the impact of climate change. The water industry relies on the natural environment to source its product. The process of taking water from the environment, treating it and piping it into people’s homes is largely taken for granted in the UK and yet the water industry is a multi million pound industry requiring massive investment to maintain and develop its infrastructure and reservoirs each and every year.

The uncertainties that come with climate change coupled with population growth mean that the water industry is now planning for a wide-range of possible scenarios. For example: ways to increase holding capacity, how to share supplies in drought situations and sourcing from parts of the environment that haven’t been drawn on before.

A UN report shows that climate change is expected to account for about 20% of the global increase in water scarcity. While countries already affected by water scarcity issues will be hit the hardest, for the UK this could mean the degradation of groundwater and surface water quality which would result in environmental concerns and the need to treat water more intensely by companies.

All water companies have long-term water resource plans (usually 25 years) in place. These plans are drawn-up following guidelines from the industry’s environmental regulator, the Environment Agency, and submitted to Defra. They include a host of scenarios and actions that can be put in place in a wide range of circumstances. They also have separate drought plans that outline in detail ways to deal with short-term reductions in supply such as hosepipe bans and drought permits.

Shared management of water resources will play an increasing role in the UK’s water strategy. Companies in the South East together with government and regulators work closely on how best to share resources.

This is what the industry is doing to mitigate and adapt to climate change but it cannot deal with the future alone. Water companies are encouraging consumers to integrate water conservation into their daily routine, like second nature. This does not mean consumers shouldn’t enjoy water, but rather that they shouldn’t waste water. Valuing water is key for this shift to take place.

Companies are aware of the need to set an example in water conservation and work hard to keep leakage at sustainable levels.

Climate change poses a range of problems but there are solutions at hand. We are now at a point where better knowledge will help us value water more highly. Developed countries have taken for granted an endless supply of high quality drinking water and we are now in a position to use an essential resource more wisely.

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Sarah Wilson, Communication Adviser, 020 7344 1809