The government’s plan to reduce water demand does not go far enough, the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has warned.
In its landmark 2018 report Preparing for a drier future, the Commission warned that consumption should be lowered – as well as new supplies added – as part of efforts to meet a predicted 4,000 megalitre daily deficit by 2050.
As part of an evidence session at a House of Lords inquiry, commissioner Jim Hall expressed “frustration” over policy work needed from the Department of environment, food and rural affairs (Defra) to curb water consumption.
“Though there are commitments and policies, we are not sure whether they have sufficient teeth to arrive at the targets,” he told peers.
Hall said although Defra made the right noises on demand management, the NIC remained unconvinced that actions in the Plan for Water or other policies “will add up to the ambition for demand reduction.”
Last year the Industry and Regulators Committee launched an investigation into the work of Ofwat, which culminated in the publication of a report earlier this year titled The affluent and the effluent.
The group held a follow-up hearing to continue its probing.
Chairing the session, Baroness Taylor told the commissioners she would feel “extremely frustrated” in their position, she said: “You’re coming up with solutions and plans, but you’re waiting for other people to take on board what you’re saying with insufficient leverage to make things happen.”
Hall and assistant director Ed Beard praised supply-side work being undertaken to address future resilience issues but cautioned that finance challenges at the next price review process could see major schemes not adequately funded.