An investigation has found that businesses in England draw billions of litres from the public water supply each day, with much of that use in water-stressed areas, while households face hosepipe bans amid widespread drought.
Key facts
- Businesses across England use 2.6bn litres a day from the public water supply, according to the Guardian.
- Less than 1% of businesses use more water than the daily needs of 10 million people.
- Businesses account for about 30% of public supply use, with two-thirds of their consumption in water-stressed areas.
- Three-quarters of the country is in drought and millions of households face hosepipe bans.
- Many companies are not required to report, let alone cut, their use of public supply.
Millions of people in England are living under hosepipe bans while a small number of businesses quietly consume vast quantities of public water, according to an investigation published by the Guardian. The report found that less than 1% of businesses in England use more water than the daily needs of 10 million people.
Businesses across England use 2.6bn litres a day from the public water supply, the Guardian reported. That supply includes both potable and non-potable water provided by water companies.
In total, businesses account for about 30% of public supply use, according to Mosl, the organisation that operates England’s business water market. Two-thirds of that business consumption takes place in areas that are already water-stressed.
The scale of business use comes at a time of significant strain on England’s water resources. According to the Guardian, three-quarters of the country is in drought and millions of households are facing hosepipe bans.
A central concern raised by the investigation is transparency. Many companies are not required to report their use of public water, let alone reduce it, the Guardian reported, leaving a gap in public understanding of who is drawing heavily on shared supplies during a period of scarcity.
Why it matters
Water scarcity is intensifying in England, and how the burden of conservation is shared between households and businesses raises questions of fairness and accountability. If a small number of companies use disproportionate amounts of public water without reporting requirements, it becomes harder to manage supplies effectively during drought.
Frequently asked questions
How much water do businesses in England use each day?
According to the Guardian, businesses across England use 2.6bn litres a day from the public water supply, which includes potable and non-potable water provided by water companies.
What share of public water supply do businesses account for?
Businesses account for about 30% of public supply use, with two-thirds of their consumption in water-stressed areas, according to Mosl, the organisation that operates England's business water market.
Are companies required to report their water use?
Many companies are not required to report, let alone cut, their use of public supply, according to the Guardian.