England is one of the most water-stressed countries in Europe
Climate change means wetter winters and drier summers. And that’s putting real pressure on how we store it, manage it and supply our water. Protecting water means working together to make sure people, businesses and the environment have a reliable supply now and for the future.
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Bigger picture
Why does a rainy country have a water shortage?
Wetter winters, drier summers. The rain's falling at the wrong time
Winters up to 30% wetter, summers up to 60% drier by 2070. And it's already begun: 6 of the UK's 10 wettest winters on record have happened since 2000.
Dry spells don't let the ground catch up
After England's wettest 18 months on record, the following spring was the driest in over a century. Reservoirs fell below 50% capacity, and nearly 9 million people faced hosepipe bans.
More people need the same water
Population growth accounts for around a quarter of the shortfall we're planning for by 2050. It's growing fastest in London and the South East, already our most stretched regions.
Nature needs water, too
27% of our groundwater and 15% of our rivers and lakes are already being used more than they can sustain.
Everyday Relevance
This affects all of us
Over a third of us think our own water use doesn't matter nationally. But homes, businesses and wildlife rely on the same supply, which is exactly why using too much will hurt us in the long run.
Households
Many of us have already been affected by hosepipe bans. That could only be the start of water restrictions. There's a 1 in 4 risk that some homes could be cut off altogether in the next 30 years.
Environment
Rivers and wildlife rely on the same water we do. But some rivers are at risk of disappearing altogether during drought, meaning some wildlife will lose this vital water source and may not survive.
Business
It's not just homes. A third of the water we use every day goes to business, from hospitals to hotels. Nearly 9 in 10 are in areas expected to face a water shortage by 2030.
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The numbers behind our water usage
Most of us think we use 30 litres a day. The reality is 140 litres. That's almost 5x as much water as we think we do. Every.Single. Day.
140 litres a day is almost two full baths, or a 14-minute shower.
The bit we need to save.
28 litres per person per day. About a quarter of what most of us already use.
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Local impact
Water stress is closer to home than you think
Nearly half of England's water zones are expected to face a shortfall by 2030. Some places are more stretched than others, but all regions have a part to play.Every tap in your home or workplace draws from a real river, reservoir or aquifer nearby. The water industry is investing billions to fix leaks, upgrade infrastructure and increase supply, but there’s still more to do. The rest starts with those taps.
Now you know why - here's what to do about it
Water efficiency doesn’t mean going without. There are practical steps for every household and every budget, including free habits you can start today, simple swaps that take minutes and longer-term upgrades that pay back over time.
