Water Resources Plan 2025-2050 launched
We have launched our latest Water Resources Plan 2025-2050, which sets out how we will meet customer demand for water over the next 25 years, and we want your feedback. Our Water Resources Plan (WRMP) is produced at least every five years and sets out how we will provide water supplies over the next 25 years, taking into account any external challenges. The plan has very close links to a number of other plans, including our five-year business plan and drought plan.
There are some significant challenges we face in meeting customer demand for water, including population growth, the change in water use due to COVID-19, the increased likelihood of drought and the need to reduce the amount of water taken from underground sources to protect the environment. The plan considers these challenges and then sets out the options that will best help to meet them.
Among the proposals we are putting forward to counter these challenges are:
- securing a 50% reduction in leakage from our network of pipes
- support to help customers reduce their water use by 30 litres a day
- a reduction of non-household customers’ water use by 9%
- universal smart water meters for all customers; these are meters that can be automatically read on a regular basis.
“Our Water Resources Plan is a key document to ensure that we can continue to provide high-quality, sustainable and reliable water to our customers in the future. It’s important that we plan ahead as there are so many challenges that we need to take into account. The water environment is constantly changing with climate change and population growth affecting the supply and demand for water. Our WRMP is one of the tools we’re using to secure our customers’ water future and we want to hear everyone’s views to ensure we’re planning the right way for our customers, our stakeholders and the environment.”
Natalie Akroyd, Head of Water Strategy & Environment
WRMP consultation
The consultation on the draft Water Resources Management Plan for 2025-2050 takes place from 16 November 2022 to 22 February 2023.
Read more about the plan and provide your feedback.
Our WRMP has been launched on the same day as the Water Resources West (WRW) draft regional plan, which outlines the water needs to meet customer demand for the whole region.
WRW is made up of us plus Hafren Dyfrdwy, Severn Trent, United Utilities and Welsh Water. The WRW region spans some of the biggest shared catchments in England and Wales, including the Dee, the Severn and the Wye, and is home to around 18 million people.
The regional plan has been shaped by consultation with various stakeholders and takes into account population growth in the region and climate change. It indicates the potential options that could meet changing needs and explores the role that water transfers might play in supporting national resilience, with options for transferring water from the North West and Wales to the South East.
"Our goal is to create a sustainable long-term plan for water resources across not only our region but the rest of the UK. Publishing this plan is the next step in the process and we’d welcome feedback on the options that are currently being explored.”
Richard Blackwell, Director of WRW
The regional water resources plan
Find out more about Water Resources West Regional Water resources plan and how to give your feedback.
Posted: 16 November 2022