Water
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Context
Future Water, the Government’s Water Strategy for England was published in February 2008 and sets out the Government’s vision for the water sector by 2030. Future Water maps out how the overarching target of reducing domestic water usage to 130 litres per person per day, can be achieved from a current estimate of 150 litres of water used by every person in Britain per day.
Actions and Deliverables
Overarching Target
To assist with the Future Water vision to reduce per capita consumption of water in the home through cost effective measures, to an average of 130 litres per person per day by 2030, or possibly even 120 litres per person per day depending on new technological developments and innovation.
| List of Actions & Deliverables which contribute to Overarching Target | Body Responsible for each action/ deliverable | Timescale |
|---|
| All new homes built with English Partnerships and Housing Corporation support to meet Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 standards for water efficiency (from April 2008), and (subject to funding) Level 4 standards from 2011 (105 litres per person per day). |
English Partnerships, Housing Corporation and CLG |
From April 2010 |
| Development of standards for non-potable water use |
Water Saving Group / BSI |
Standard in place for rainwater harvesting systems by the end of 2008. |
| Defra will review the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 in 2008 with a view to setting new performance standards for key fittings. |
Defra |
2009 |
| A reduction in water consumption to an average of 3 cubic metres per person per year for all new office builds or major office refurbishments on the Government Estate. |
All Government Departments (SDC monitoring) |
Ongoing |
| Reduce water consumption by 25% on the office and non-office estate by 2020 relative to 2004/5 levels. |
All Government Departments (SDC monitoring) |
2020 |
| Water usage in the manufacturing and construction phase reduced by 20% compared to 2008 usage |
Strategic Forum |
2012 - Sample surveys of water usage measured by water metering |
| Introduction of changes to Building Regulation to improve the water efficiency of new homes, with a whole building performance standard of 125 litres per person per day |
CLG |
From 2009 |
What can industry do?
Further information:
- Waterwise is focused on decreasing water consumption in the UK and building the evidence base for large scale water efficiency.
- Water UK represents all UK water and wastewater service suppliers at national and European level.
- Ofwat (The Water Services Regulation Authority) is the economic regulator of the water and sewerage companies in England and Wales. It publishes annual reports to parliament which can be found here
- Defra’s Water Saving Group (having recently formally come to an end) brought together key water industry organisations in order to combine their skills and experience and promote the efficient use of water in households in England. The link provides insight and information into water use.
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