Regional plans show hike in 2050 supply-demand gap

The five regional water resources groups published plans for future water supplies last week which showed estimates how much extra water we will need by 2050 have shot up since the publication of the National Framework in 2020.

The new plans put the deficit at 4bn litres a day, compared to a like-for-like comparison in the National Framework of 2.5bn litres a day. This hike is due to more up to date data and, in particular, more ambitious sustainability reductions to protect the environment.

Collectively, Water Resources South East, Water Resources East, Water Resources West Country, Water Resources West and Water Resources North planned to plug around half the gap by cutting leaks and demand. The range of supply side interventions prominently featured new reservoirs and water recycling schemes.

The plans are pre-draft and open for consultation until 14 March. Formal draft plans will be published later this year.

Detailed coverage of the emerging plans will be in February’s THE WATER REPORT.