Open letter: Making Water-Smart Buildings the New Normal

On behalf of its members, partners and supporting organisations, Future Water has written an Open Letter (below) which needs your support.

England faces a growing public water supply deficit, and building 1.5 million new homes will push demand higher. Water-smart buildings, using water efficiency, rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse, can cut demand for drinking water with technology that already exists. We're calling on Government to make them standard practice.

‍Sign the letter and tell Government to back water-smart buildings:

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Open letter:

The UK cannot deliver 1.5 million new homes without a plan for water security. 

We are writing on behalf of members and partners of the Future Water Association and organisations across the built environment, facilities management, education, healthcare, manufacturing and innovation sectors. 

We enclose an open letter calling for a renewed focus on water-smart buildings through the greater adoption of water efficiency measures, rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse. 

England faces a significant water security challenge. The country has experienced multiple drought events in recent years, while projections indicate a substantial public water supply deficit over coming decades if action is not taken. At the same time, the Government has rightly committed to delivering economic growth, improving national resilience and building 1.5 million new homes. 

These ambitions should not be viewed as competing priorities. 

The question is no longer whether we need additional water resilience measures, but how quickly we can mainstream the proven solutions already available to us. Water-smart buildings offer a practical, scalable and cost-effective opportunity to reduce demand on potable water supplies, strengthen drought resilience and support sustainable development. 

The principle is simple: use the right water for the right purpose. High-quality drinking water should be reserved for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene, while appropriately treated non-potable water can safely be used for applications such as toilet flushing, irrigation and other suitable uses. 

The technologies, standards and expertise already exist. Industry is ready to support implementation. What is now needed is clear policy direction, regulatory certainty and a coordinated approach across government. 

The enclosed letter sets out a series of practical recommendations, including: 

• ‍Embedding water-smart design within new development. 

• Creating clear pathways for retrofit across existing buildings. 

• Aligning water efficiency measures with water reuse technologies. 

• Establishing a cross-government approach to accelerating adoption. 

• Launching demonstrator projects to build confidence and evidence. 

We believe these measures can make a meaningful contribution to housing delivery, economic growth, climate adaptation and national resilience, while ensuring that future generations make better use of one of our most precious resources. 

We would welcome the opportunity to discuss these proposals further and to work with Government, regulators and industry partners to develop a practical roadmap for implementation. 

The technologies exist. The standards exist. The evidence exists. 

What is needed now is leadership. 

Yours sincerely, 

Future Water Association 
On behalf of members, partners and supporting organisations 

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