Water conservation: Water Saving Group (WSG)

At a time of long-term growing pressure on water resources in some parts of the country water industry stakeholders need to work together in practical ways to promote the efficient use of water in households.

The key stakeholders joined in a new ministerially-led group which will define, monitor, carry out and review projects and workstreams dealing with targets, the evidence base, best practice, education and policy. This is the first Government led high level group of its kind promoting collaborative work on water efficiency.

The first meeting was held 20 October 2005, chaired by the Environment Minister, Elliot Morley and attended by representatives from the following organisations:

• Defra
• Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM)
• Ofwat
• Environment Agency
• water companies
• Consumer Council for Water
• Water UK
• waterwise

These are the organisations whose existing duties to promote water efficiency, conservation and sustainable development give them roles in promoting the efficient use of water. The group brings together these organisations and will combine their skills and experience.

The problem

The Environment Agency has identified areas where water abstraction is already unsustainable. Examples include where it impacts on designated conservation sites (Natura 2000, SSSI) and more generally in the south east of England. Demographic changes, new housing development and the likely impacts of climate change are all expected to increase pressure on water resources.

Reduced domestic demand, through more efficient use of water in the home, will reduce the extent of abstraction needed for public supply, and offset new and existing pressures on water resources.

The Water Saving Group Action Plan

At the first meeting the members of the WSG agreed an action plan (22 KB). The action plan is relevant across England, but recognises the significant regional variation in water supply and will target water stressed areas. The work streams aim to encourage the efficient use of water in households. This is not the final version, after each meeting the action plan will develop and change, and the action plan on this website will be updated accordingly.

The projects outlined in the first draft of this evolving document cover:

• Customer perceptions and awareness

• Best practice in promoting water efficiency

• Information gaps, priorities and funding

• The policy and regulatory framework; and

• Measuring success

The high-level WSG will meet at approximately six-monthly intervals. Between each meeting there will be a group of officials responsible for carrying forward the action plan as agreed at the high level group. This will report back to the high level group on progress at each meeting.