THE UK is facing a shortfall of 200 million litres of water by 2038 – the equivalent of one billion cups of tea.
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 because of the growing population.
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More frequent extreme weather events, combined with a rise in temperatures of two degrees, could see river flows decrease by a fifth by 2055.
Figures show there could be 70% 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.
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Keith Haslett, chief executive officer 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 climate change will lead to an increase in droughts and water shortages in the next five years.
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Yet, more than a quarter (28%) 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 – 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 – can help.
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.”
Eight-point plan to address the water crisis:
- Resurrect the post of Minister for Water as a formal political position.
- Create a National Water Council, that brings together all relevant parties.
- Better training for plumbers and installers to reduce leaks and ensure that water efficient products achieve maximum efficiency.
- Compulsory water meters for all households including the removal of pre-installation inspections.
- Create a rapid “Greywater Review” to identify the feasibility of using greywater for businesses and recreational usage.
- More ambitious targets for new homes for water efficiency aiming for 100 litres per person per day in water-stressed areas, and 110 litres in all other areas.
- An ‘All-In-One’ approach to retrofitting homes so that water efficiency is included alongside energy efficiency.
- Explore the use of rising block tariffs, providing a range of tariffs which determine the price consumers pay based on usage.
In other news, millions of households could get water bill discounts – check if you’re one of them.
Here’s a little-known water bill trick that means 5million households could save £160 a year.
If you’re on a water meter but find it hard to save water as you have a large family or water-dependent medical condition, you may be able to cap your bills through the WaterSure scheme.
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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
