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
Water companies in England and Wales report total leakage and per capita household consumption figures annually as three-year moving averages, but it should be noted that these totals differ from the England-only data presented in this indicator due to the inclusion of results for Wales. From 2020, water companies report their leakage performance against Ofwat’s 2025 target, this is a 3-year average with 2017/2018 as a start point for the 3-year average.
Notes on indicator
Ofwat’s 2021-22 water company performance report referred to impacts of the pandemic on water demand - “companies stated that due to the three-year average nature of this metric, they continue to be impacted by the increased household consumption reported in 2020/2021 associated with restrictions introduced to combat COVID-19.”
Indicator components
Figure E8a: Water leakage in England, 2002/2003 to 2022/2023
Table E8a: Water leakage in England, 2002/2003 to 2022/2023
| Year | Value |
|---|---|
| 2002/2003 | 3,152.44 |
| 2003/2004 | 3,298.97 |
| 2004/2005 | 3,365.29 |
| 2005/2006 | 3,347.73 |
| 2006/2007 | 3,279.15 |
| 2007/2008 | 3,187.28 |
| 2008/2009 | 3,102.77 |
| 2009/2010 | 3,062.08 |
| 2010/2011 | 3,087.77 |
| 2011/2012 | 3,041.40 |
| 2012/2013 | 3,001.25 |
| 2013/2014 | 2,921.77 |
| 2014/2015 | 2,919.82 |
| 2015/2016 | 2,897.76 |
| 2016/2017 | 2,898.91 |
| 2017/2018 | 2,914.25 |
| 2018/2019 | 2,939.23 |
| 2019/2020 | 2,896.91 |
| 2020/2021 | 2,850.79 |
| 2021/2022 | 2,785.67 |
| 2022/2023 | 2,792.33 |
Trend description for E8a
Between 2020/2021 and 2022/2023, total water leakage in England averaged 2,792 megalitres per day, 11.4% lower than the daily average for the 3 years from 2000/2001 to 2002/2003.
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 | 2017/2018 to 2022/2023 | -4.18 | rolling average | Improvement |
| E8a | Medium term | 2012/2013 to 2022/2023 | -6.96 | rolling average | Improvement |
| E8a | Long term | 2002/2003 to 2022/2023 | -11.42 | rolling average | Improvement |
Percentage change in Table E8a refers to the difference seen between the first and last 3-year moving average in the specified date range. The dates in the Table E8a refer to the final year of the 3-year period, for example 2022/2023 refers to the period 2020/2021 to 2022/2023.
Figure E8b: Per capita water consumption in England, 2003/2004 to 2022/2023
Table E8b: Per capita water consumption in England, 2003/2004 to 2022/2023
| Year | Value |
|---|---|
| 2003/2004 | 151.63 |
| 2004/2005 | 151.63 |
| 2005/2006 | 151.81 |
| 2006/2007 | 149.66 |
| 2007/2008 | 148.73 |
| 2008/2009 | 146.80 |
| 2009/2010 | 146.15 |
| 2010/2011 | 145.81 |
| 2011/2012 | 145.50 |
| 2012/2013 | 143.34 |
| 2013/2014 | 141.59 |
| 2014/2015 | 139.75 |
| 2015/2016 | 139.79 |
| 2016/2017 | 139.52 |
| 2017/2018 | 140.31 |
| 2018/2019 | 141.50 |
| 2019/2020 | 141.38 |
| 2020/2021 | 145.01 |
| 2021/2022 | 145.23 |
| 2022/2023 | 145.53 |
Trend description for E8b
Per capita household water consumption has also fallen during the time period covered by this indicator, from an average of 151.6 litres per person per day in the 3 years to 2003/2004 to an average of 145.5 litres per person per day in the most recent 3-year time period (2020/2021 to 2022/2023).
Assessment of change
Per capita water consumption in England (E8b) increased (a deterioration) over the short term, showed little or no change in the 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 increased (a deterioration) 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 | 2017/2018 to 2022/2023 | 3.72 | rolling average | Deterioration |
| E8b | Medium term | 2012/2013 to 2022/2023 | 1.53 | rolling average | Little or no change |
| E8b | Long term | 2003/2004 to 2022/2023 | -4.02 | rolling average | Improvement |
Percentage change in Table E8b refers to the difference seen between the first and last 3-year moving average in the specified date range. The dates in the Table E8b refer to the final year of the 3-year period, for example 2022/2023 refers to the period 2020/2021 to 2022/2023.