Poor public understanding feeds bad reputation for sector

The UK public’s distrust of the water sector is born out of widespread poor understanding of how the sector operates, says a recent poll, with almost half admitting they do not know how water gets to their homes.

Findings from the survey by communications firm, Copper Consultancy, which the authors listed as demonstrating the public’s low understanding of water and wastewater services, included:  

• 44% of those polled said their consumption has no impact on water shortages;

• only 28% believed wastewater was treated to a high standard; 

• 43% did not know that combined sewage overflows prevent flooding; and

• 35% did not know where water goes after it leaves their property.

According to the report authors: “Low public knowledge about water has allowed misconceptions to take root and trust to be eroded in the sector”.

Other observations included: 

• “Many do not know their consumption or the impact consumption has on the environment – 38% of those with water meters choose not to check them”;

• 55% “like the idea of nationalisation” and 56% felt the same about increased private competition;

• new reservoirs “enjoyed high support, with 69% in favour” while 82% supported investment in new infrastructure and 59% “want to see more infrastructure investment locally to them, even if it impacts them”;

• more than 60% believe that water companies have not invested enough in the network; and 

• 70% feel water companies are “too profitable”. This, the authors emphasised, was “despite UK water bills continuing to be some of the cheapest in Europe.”

Managing partner at Copper Consultancy, Martin McCrink, said: “This report shows us that without societal buy-in to what the industry needs to achieve in the future, programmes will be harder to deliver against budget and timescales. Rebuilding public trust in the sector is critical to success.”