E8: Efficient use of water
Short Description
Climate change and a growing population will put increasing pressure on our water supplies. Ambitious reductions in water consumption and leakage have a significant role in maintaining secure supplies and protecting the environment. This indicator shows changes in the efficient use of water, focussing on (a) leakage and (b) per capita consumption. Leakage and per capita household consumption of water in England are existing metrics reported to The Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) and the Environment Agency.
Readiness and links to data
The indicator presented here reports on Water leakage (E8a) and average per capita water consumption (E8b). The data is published in the Water resources 2023-2024: analysis of the water industry's annual water performance, summarising the progress across wholesale water companies in England on key water demand and supply metrics. This data differs from the Ofwat data reported previously in this indicator on water companies in England and Wales where total leakage and per capita household consumption figures are reported annually as three-year moving averages. The main difference in results is that data is presented on a year by year basis instead of showing the average over a three-year period. The revised approach will highlight the variability of leakage and water consumption year on year.
Indicator components
Figure E8a: Water leakage in England, 2005/2006 to 2023/2024
Table E8a: Water leakage in England, 2005/2006 to 2023/2024
| Year | Value |
|---|---|
| 2005/2006 | 3,341.20 |
| 2006/2007 | 3,206.87 |
| 2007/2008 | 3,078.42 |
| 2008/2009 | 3,087.74 |
| 2009/2010 | 3,084.30 |
| 2010/2011 | 3,155.55 |
| 2011/2012 | 2,948.57 |
| 2012/2013 | 2,962.12 |
| 2013/2014 | 2,915.07 |
| 2014/2015 | 2,940.77 |
| 2015/2016 | 2,894.98 |
| 2016/2017 | 2,918.07 |
| 2017/2018 | 2,986.50 |
| 2018/2019 | 2,969.25 |
| 2019/2020 | 2,771.29 |
| 2020/2021 | 2,828.25 |
| 2021/2022 | 2,754.82 |
| 2022/2023 | 2,790.34 |
| 2023/2024 | 2,689.16 |
Trend description for E8a
In 2023/24, total water leakage in England was recorded at 2,689 megalitres per day, 19% lower than that recorded in 2005/2006, which equates to a reduction of 652 megalitres per day. Across the most recent 2 datapoints there has been a reduction of 101 megalitres per day (4%).
Assessment of change
An improvement was observed for water leakage in England (E8a) over the short, medium, and long term. This assessment does not consider whether any improvements seen in the medium or long term would be on a sufficient scale for meeting targets. See ‘Readiness and links to data’ section for this indicator for reference to water companies’ reporting against targets. Change since 2018 has also been assessed. There has been an improvement (reduction) in water leakage since 2018.
Further information on this assessment, along with details on the methodology, is provided in the Assessment background page. Summaries by 25 Year Environment Plan goal and information on indicator links are presented in the Assessment results pages.
Table E8a: Assessment of change
| Component | Period | Date range | Percentage change | Smoothing function | Assessment of change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E8a | Short term | 2018/2019 to 2023/2024 | -7.03 | Loess | Improvement |
| E8a | Medium term | 2013/2014 to 2023/2024 | -8.65 | Loess | Improvement |
| E8a | Long term | 2005/2006 to 2023/2024 | -18.11 | Loess | Improvement |
Percentage change refers to the difference seen between the first and last years in the specified date range.
Figure E8b: Per capita water consumption in England, 2005/2006 to 2023/2024
Table E8b: Per capita water consumption in England, 2005/2006 to 2023/2024
| Year | Value |
|---|---|
| 2005/2006 | 169.53 |
| 2006/2007 | 164.57 |
| 2007/2008 | 164.40 |
| 2008/2009 | 162.98 |
| 2009/2010 | 163.17 |
| 2010/2011 | 163.90 |
| 2011/2012 | 161.46 |
| 2012/2013 | 155.37 |
| 2013/2014 | 142.86 |
| 2014/2015 | 140.28 |
| 2015/2016 | 140.46 |
| 2016/2017 | 134.42 |
| 2017/2018 | 143.31 |
| 2018/2019 | 146.32 |
| 2019/2020 | 142.36 |
| 2020/2021 | 155.44 |
| 2021/2022 | 148.04 |
| 2022/2023 | 143.77 |
| 2023/2024 | 139.48 |
Trend description for E8b
Per capita household water consumption has fallen during the time period covered by this indicator, from an average of 169.53 litres per person per day in 2005/2006 to an average of 139.47 litres per person per day in 2023/2024, an 18% reduction.
Assessment of change
Per capita water consumption in England (E8b) showed little or no change in the short and medium term and decreased (an improvement) over the long term. This assessment does not consider whether any improvements seen in the medium or long term would be on a sufficient scale for meeting targets. See ‘Readiness and links to data’ section for this indicator for reference to water companies’ reporting against targets. Change since 2018 has also been assessed. Per capita water consumption has decreased (an improvement) for this period.
Further information on this assessment, along with details on the methodology, is provided in the Assessment background page. Summaries by 25 Year Environment Plan goal and information on indicator links are presented in the Assessment results pages.
Table E8b: Assessment of change
| Component | Period | Date range | Percentage change | Smoothing function | Assessment of change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E8b | Short term | 2018/2019 to 2023/2024 | 0.14 | Loess | Little or no change |
| E8b | Medium term | 2013/2014 to 2023/2024 | -2.68 | Loess | Little or no change |
| E8b | Long term | 2005/2006 to 2023/2024 | -13.97 | Loess | Improvement |
Percentage change refers to the difference seen between the first and last years in the specified date range.