UK Faces Water Shortages as Sewage Problem and Rising Water Bill Prices Persist
The United Kingdom is currently facing a dual challenge – a sewage problem and water shortages. As the public is well aware, today’s water bill price hikes are a result of these issues.
According to Adam Bell, director of policy at Stonehaven, the southeast region of the UK has been facing water scarcity for over a decade due to climate change and increased demand. However, the country has failed to address this issue by building new infrastructure.
Climate change has also disrupted rainfall patterns, further exacerbating water shortages in England. The growing population and demand, particularly in the drier southeast, only add to the problem. Moreover, the extraction of water from underground sources by water companies has led to the drying up of England’s rare chalk streams, which are home to otters, kingfishers, and salmon.
In March, the Environment Agency (EA) made a stark statement, declaring that the current water provision in the country is insufficient for the future. By 2050, there will be a shortfall of five billion litres of water per day, equivalent to over two million wheelie bins full of water. Despite this, the UK has not built a single new reservoir since 1992.
When it comes to accountability, different parties have varying opinions. Campaigners argue that the water industry has not invested enough, while the industry claims that they have been hindered by the EA and the government. The current government places the blame on the previous administration, although this argument may not hold up indefinitely.
One thing is clear – the water industry has been asked to keep bills low for years, which has resulted in a lack of investment in infrastructure. However, with the cost of living crisis at its peak, a bill increase is now necessary.
The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), the government’s infrastructure advisors, have repeatedly warned that bills must increase to avoid future water shortages and emergency water supply queues. Ofwat, the UK’s water regulator, has approved plans for the water industry worth £88bn, including £6bn for water security. However, this is significantly less than the £21bn recommended by the NIC.
Ofwat has acknowledged that there is only so much that bill-payers can afford. The approved funds will be used to build nine new reservoirs, along with one already in progress near Portsmouth. Additionally, seven large-scale water transfer schemes will be implemented to transport water from wetter areas to drier ones. The money will also be used for smart meter installation and to address leaks, which have been a persisting issue for the past decade.
Despite these challenges, the UK remains a wet and well-resourced country, with some of the best water quality in the world. A public information campaign may help reduce consumption, as recommended by the NIC, as water usage must decrease from 141 litres per person per day to 118.
However, before any efforts can be made to tackle water shortages, the water industry must first regain the trust and support of the public. Jo Parker, vice president of engineering at the Institute of Water and chair of the Water and Sanitation Community Advisory Board of the Institution of Civil Engineers, emphasizes the need for all stakeholders, including the water industry, professional bodies, government, regulators, NGOs, and media, to work together in restoring faith in the water industry.
