Water efficiency must become national priority says EA

England cannot continue to take water for granted, the Environment Agency has warned in a new report examining the country’s latest water usage.

While world leaders conclude climate talks in Brazil, the regulator has said achieving greater water efficiency at home must become a national priority – particularly during the current drought.

The EA has said the current amount taken out of rivers, lakes and groundwaters is not sustainable. It has called on everyone, including water companies, regulators, and consumers to play their part to use our water wisely.

The Environment Act set an ambitious target to reduce the use of public water supply per person by 20% by the end of March 2038 to protect the environment and secure drinking supplies.

So far about a quarter of that reduction has bee