The UK has a water shortage, and hasn’t yet found the best solution, says Wolfson RF

Despite the UK’s damp demeanour, national public water supplies are often put under extreme pressure by drought and water shortage. 

In his recent article for The Conversation, Wolfson Research Fellow, Kevin Grecksch argues that contrary to a report from the government’s official National Infrastructure Commission in 2023, new reservoirs are not really the best and certainly not the only answer to our national water supply issues.

‘Across England’s private water suppliers, there are plans for ten new reservoirs, one enlargement and multiple large pipelines to transfer water within and between different regions and water companies. Whether these will ever be built is questionable. Building a new reservoir is not only costly and highly regulated, but local opposition is fierce. Thames Water has been trying to build a new storage reservoir south of Oxford for decades, for instance, despite objections from the local council.’

In his article, Kevin covers alternative management strategies, often tried and tested in countries with even more challenging circumstances and delicate balances than those faced by the UK. Reusing water is one such strategy, while more effective demand management, aided by public campaigns, would undoubtedly play a vital role.

To read Kevin’s article in full, click here.