The State of the Environment: Water Resources
On 23 May 2018, the Environment Agency published 'The State of the Environment: Water Resources', calling for action on water efficiency.
Described as the first major report on water resources in England, the report points to climate change and demand from a growing population as the biggest pressures on water and suggests that England could see significant supply deficits by 2050, particularly in the south east, unless action is taken to increase supply and to reduce usage and wastage.
It highlights problems with:
- Unsustainable levels of water abstraction in more than a quarter of groundwaters and one fifth of rivers, leading to reduced flows which could damage local ecology and wildlife.
- Leakage from water companies, estimated at 3 billion litres a day (enough water to meet the needs of 20 million people ).
- Demand from industry.
- Public consumption. The government’s 25 year environment plan sets an ambition to reduce individual water use (currently 140 litres per person per day) by working with industry to set a personal consumption target.
Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency said:
“We need to change our attitudes to water use. It is the most fundamental thing needed to ensure a healthy environment but we are taking too much of it and have to work together to manage this precious resource. Industry must innovate and change behaviours in order to reduce demand and cut down on wastage – and we all have a duty to use water more wisely at home. With demand on the rise, water companies must invest more in infrastructure to address leakage instead of relying on abstraction and the natural environment to make up this shortfall.”
(Ref. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/environment-agency-calls-for-action-on-water-efficiency)
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Approved Document G.
- Delivering water efficiency in commercial buildings: A guide for facilities managers.
- Do our water quality standards demonstrate to the public that their water supply is clean?
- Environment Agency.
- Flood and Water Management Act.
- Passive water efficiency measures.
- Rainwater harvesting.
- Sustainable urban drainage systems.
- Sustainable water.
- The Dublin Statement.
- The impact of trees and forests on drought.
- Trading systems for water resources.
- Types of water.
- Water.
- Water Act 2014.
- Water consumption.
- Water conservation.
- Water efficiency – The next big sustainability issue?
- Water framework directive.
- Water investment.
Featured articles and news
The Association of Consultant Architects recap
A reintroduction and recap of ACA President; Patrick Inglis' Autumn update.
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.