The UK could face a significant drinking water shortage by the mid-2030s if urgent investments are not made, Environment Secretary Steve Reed has warned.
His comments come amid proposals from water companies to increase bills by 84% by 2030, which he described as “eye-watering.”
Reed emphasized the need for improvements to the country’s water infrastructure, stating that current inadequacies are already hampering economic growth and housing developments in areas like Cambridge and Oxford.
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He noted that without action to enhance water supply and infrastructure, demand for drinking water could soon exceed supply, echoing challenges faced in some Mediterranean countries.
The government’s response includes the largest review of the water industry in nearly 40 years, initiated in the wake of recent sewage scandals.
A commission led by former Bank of England deputy governor Sir Jon Cunliffe will aim to “fix Britain’s broken water industry,” including legislation to prohibit bonuses for water executives and introduce criminal liability for major leaks.
While Reed ruled out nationalization of the water sector, citing the high costs involved, he pointed to regulatory failures as the root of the problem.
He defended his position against allegations of impropriety regarding football tickets from a water company, insisting that no decisions have been influenced by such gifts.
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An Ofwat spokesperson highlighted ongoing initiatives to boost water supply, including plans for new reservoirs and extensive replacement of aging water mains.
Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer criticized the government’s stance, asserting that water should be managed in public hands for the benefit of all, not for profit.
