Not-for-profit organisation Waterwise brought together over 40 water wholesalers, retailers and regulators last week to explore how they could raise the bar on water efficiency with business water users in the UK.

During the workshop in London on Tuesday 14 May, Waterwise ran a speed-dating session followed by presentations on challenges and opportunities from the perspective of a wholesaler (Thames Water), retailer (Wave) and regulator (Ofwat).

Breakout groups then explored potential solutions/actions to promote more joined up water resource planning; better capture and transparency of water savings; and practical steps both wholesalers and retailers can take to reduce on-site business demand.

Jo Dow, Chief Executive, Business Stream and Co-Chair, Waterwise Retailers Leadership Group, commented:

“We can achieve so much more if we work together as an industry to promote the importance of water efficiency. Workshops such as this one provide a fantastic opportunity for retailers, wholesalers and other key stakeholders to come together and share ideas and best practice - and will help pave the way for greater collaboration going forward.”

The recommendations from the event will be shared with the Environment Agency, OFWAT and MOSL when Waterwise, which was set up to help reduce water consumption in the UK, meet with the bodies in June 2019.

Nicci Russell, Managing Director, Waterwise, said:

“Water efficiency was seen as a big benefit when the business water retail market was set up in 2016, but we know that much more can be done to realise those benefits. We know there is a risk of severe disruption to the resilience of the water our homes and business rely on, in our lifetimes, and we're already seeing the combined impacts of climate change, a growing population and changes in how we use water, on its availability.”

“The UK needs ambition on reducing business water use as well as water use in homes, and leakage. We're looking forward to coming up with ways we can work together to make this happen, and the workshop helped us make connections and put flesh on the bones.”