The UK is facing a shortfall of 200 million litres of water by 2038 – the equivalent of one billion cups of tea, according to worrying data. Demand is set to outstrip supply, with the country likely to need as much as 40.1 billion litres of water annually within 15 years due to the growing population.
More frequent extreme weather events, combined with a rise in temperatures of two degrees, could see river flows decrease by a fifth by 2055. And figures show there could be 70 percent less rainfall by 2070 in the UK, if high global emissions continue.
The data, which comes from the likes of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Met Office, was analysed by Demos, a cross-party think-tank, and supported by Affinity Water, the UK’s largest water-only supplier, as part of its new report.
It includes an eight-point plan for tackling water resilience, following consultation with government, policymakers, academia, home builders, climate experts, and the water industry – which includes resurrecting the Minister for Water position, and creating a National Water Council.
Keith Haslett, CEO of the water company, said: “We recognise the industry must do more to ensure long-term sustainable supplies of water.
“This is why we have been collaborating across the industry on water resource plans at a regional level, to put forward proposals on new sources of water, such as water transfers and new reservoirs.
“However, this is just one aspect of our long-term plans, and must work in tandem with reducing leakage, and a societal-wide push to reduce demand for water, to ensure a more sustainable supply of water for the future.”
The report also found one in three are concerned that climate change will lead to an increase in droughts and water shortages in the next five years. Yet, more than a quarter (28 percent) of the public believes their water usage has little impact on the environment.
Despite this, in 2021, the government set an aim of reducing personal water use to 110 litres per person, per day, by 2050.
Simple solutions can go a long way – like fixing a toilet leak, which can save 400 litres of water per day, or shortening a shower by two minutes, which can save up to 30 litres.
Andrew O’Brien, director of policy and impact at Demos, said: “Our fundamental needs in life are food, shelter, and water – so, the public rightly expects that we have a plan to keep our taps flowing.
“The good news is that everyone is waking up to the need for urgent action to tackle this issue – but there is still a lot to do.
“We need a truly national effort to ensure that we meet future demand. This will require the government, water industry, business, and citizens working together towards a common goal – making the UK as water efficient as possible.”
