Supporting the Waterwise UK Water Efficiency Strategy to 2030

With the UK experiencing record-level droughts this Summer, the Water Industry looks to the future of water demand reduction with the recent launch of Waterwise's UK Water Efficiency Strategy to 2030. Developed through engagement by governments, water sector and other organisations, this solution outlines objectives which could save over 1,500 million litres of water every day in under a decade. WRc colleagues and water efficiency specialists Carmen Snowdon and James Lees share their thoughts on the strategy and WRc's work in the area. 

Carmen Snowdon, WRc's Director of Commercial Services and a technical specialist in water use, policy, water efficiency and leakage, gives her insight on the collaborative push being put forward by the strategy:

The Water Efficiency Strategy to 2030 is a key document for all stakeholders to get behind, indicating the breadth of support and diversity of approaches that will be needed to reduce water demand over the next 8 years. There is no single sector, business or group alone that can deliver the level of policy, technology and behavioural changes that will need to come together if we are ensure future supply demand balance, and protect the environment for future generations. 

Discussing UK water efficiency on a global stage

A true supporter of the cause (having previously seconded to Waterwise as Head of Water Efficiency and Customer Participation), Carmen recently took the opportunity to offer a UK perspective on an international panel discussing 'Water efficiency: the fastest, cheapest, largest source of new water' at the IWA World Water Congress conference and exhibition. Commenting on WRc's role as a key player in the drive towards UK water efficiency following the launch of this strategy, Carmen adds:

WRc has a rich history of supporting both policy development and implementation, and working with bathroom manufacturing industries and water companies on a host of topics around water efficiency – we very much look forward to supporting the implementation of this strategy over coming years.

James Lees attends the launch of the Waterwise Water Efficiency Strategy and Carmen Snowdon speaks at a panel on Water Efficiency at IWA World Water Congress 2022.

Joining industry leaders to launch the strategy's vision

Representing WRc at Waterwise's launch event for the Strategy was James Lees, Principal Consultant within the Technical Consulting team, who's work focuses on Water Efficiency and Water Regulations, as well as the WRc Approved certification scheme. James shares his thoughts following the event:

It was great for WRc to be at the launch event for Waterwise’s UK Water Efficiency Strategy to 2030. The 10 Strategic Objectives make it really clear on how the UK can work together from all sectors to deliver effective and lasting water demand reductions.

Upcoming project supporting delivery of a key objective

WRc are part of the sub-group ‘Water Neutrality’ which is run by Waterwise and is actively progressing awareness and knowledge of Water Neutrality within the UK. The group has been tasked with progressing Strategic Objective 6 which involves making new developments more water efficient and water neutral in areas with current or future water challenges. James provides some insight into a new project commissioned though the Waterwise-led ‘Collaborative Fund’ to support the delivery of this objective:

The project is looking at the compliance of new domestic properties to Building Regulations, focusing in Wales where recent changes to regulations have been made. The outputs of this project will determine whether new domestic properties are built to the required water efficiency standards and if a tightening of standards in 2018 has had any ‘real’ impact on reducing water consumption once the property becomes occupied.