Research from valve and pump manufacturer Talis reveals that people think the impact of drought, insufficient rainfall, and the amount of water lost via leakage, is reducing. However, these issues are still significant challenges facing the sector.
The 20:20 Challenge report found that the quality of half of the UK’s ground water supply is deteriorating due to polluted runoff from farms and highways, with only 29 per cent of supplies rated by the Environment Agency as at least good.
It adds that water supplies are not in the areas of highest demand in southern parts of England. In addition, social changes, like increasing populations, is putting a greater strain on the available resources.
Talis UK managing director Mark Hodgens said: “The UK faces some difficult challenges in relation to managing water supplies and yet general awareness of these issues is low outside the water industry.”
The company is launching its 20:20 Challenge at Utility Week Live in an attempt to raise awareness of the importance of water management “with people able to have a real impact, such as builders, plumbers and major employers”.
The report also intends to encourage a 20 litre reduction in personal water usage and a 20 per cent reduction in water leakages in the hope that this combined achievement will save 1.99 billion litres of water each day.
Hodgens added: “In election year especially, it is troubling that water management is so low on the public’s agenda. More needs to be done to raise awareness and understanding so that there is greater public support and political will to protect the security of clean water supplies for generations to come.”