‘As the UK’s conscience on water efficiency we can help get water efficiency back on track’ - Waterwise
Date published:
August 25, 2022

Influential campaigning organisation Waterwise has released its Strategic Direction to 2030, setting out how urgent water efficiency is, how progress has stalled, and how as the UK’s conscience on water efficiency Waterwise can help the UK get back on track.
Waterwise highlights the challenge we face in the UK with the need to reduce waterdemand to secure water supplies for society and the economy - and for a healthyenvironment; and how urgent this is, right across the UK. Waterwise uses itsindependent voice and influence on behalf of people and the planet, working withbusinesses and the public to drive action.
Tania Flasck, Chair of Waterwise, said: ‘Waterwise’s strong voice and expertise hasdriven collective action and ambition on water efficiency and the UK for almost twodecades, and we want to go even further. We know our independence is valued, andwe will flex this even more - being a bold voice to government, regulators andindustry to drive the even greater ambition we need. We will continue to run nationalwater efficiency campaigns to raise awareness and change behaviour and to bringpeople together, leading networks, supporting collaborative research and sharinggood practice.
We’ll also be harnessing the power of partnerships, listening to awider range of voices, and reducing our own environmental footprint. We’re alsoworking on how we can drive diversity, equity and inclusion both in Waterwise and inthe sector, and have updated our vision to reflect this. If you’re a UK organisation,private or public sector, thinking about how you can help keep the taps running andwould like to work in partnership with the independent experts - get in touch!’
Nicci Russell, Waterwise Managing Director, said: ‘It’s been clearer than ever thissummer how water scarcity is a real issue right here, right now in the UK - and howimportant it is for us all to use water wisely. Climate change means less water, thereare more of us than ever before, and we’re all on average using way more watereach than a few decades ago - we can’t carry on like this. At Waterwise, we’restepping up ourselves, using our independent voice to drive even more ambition -and urging UK governments, regulators and water companies to factor waterefficiency into everything we do.
This refreshed Strategic Direction for Waterwise emphasises what we’re good at, and will help us drive even more ambition and change. It frames our role in the UK Water Efficiency Strategy to 2030 which we willbe launching on 14th September and delivering with the UK water sector. We all have our part to play, at home and at work. Join us on this mission!’
More from the water sector
Find out how the UK water sector is informing, innovating, and influencing change
Future Water Awards 2026 – Nominations now open
Celebrate excellence in the UK water sector by nominating outstanding individuals and organisations for the 2026 Future Water Awards, recognising emerging talent, people, and above-and-beyond contributions.
Drive to tackle I&I with “high fidelity” data
New Environment Agency requirements on sewer overflow reporting are placing urgent pressure on water companies to better quantify and reduce groundwater infiltration in wastewater networks. In this article, Ryan Pearson, Head of Strategy at Metasphere (a Grundfos company), explains how high-quality data and advanced monitoring can help utilities meet new compliance requirements, reduce pollution events, and support lower-carbon, nature-based infrastructure solutions.
New Environment Agency guidance on sewer overflow reporting is pushing water companies to better quantify groundwater infiltration and reduce wastewater network overflows.
Reg 4 and Reg 31 — More Than Just Specification Language
Regulation 4 and Regulation 31 are often referenced in UK water industry specifications, but their impact on manufacturers and the supply chain is far-reaching. In this article, Groundbreaker Systems explores how approvals such as WRAS, KIWA and NSF shape product design, testing and compliance. While rigorous and costly to achieve, these approvals provide vital assurance that materials and products used in water networks will protect drinking water quality and perform reliably for decades. Ultimately, compliance is not just about certification, it is about safeguarding the safety and resilience of the UK’s water infrastructure.
How Regulation 4 and Regulation 31 approvals shape product testing, compliance and trust across the UK water supply chain.
