BQ1 - How do we halve Freshwater Abstractions in a Sustainable way by 2050?
We are currently working on the approach to answering this Big Question, and more information will be given here soon. The areas that this Big Question covers includes: Once we understand where the gaps are, we will produce a route map – this is a plan as to how we will answer our Big Question. The route map will have a number of key elements. At the top will be our Big Question and then we will look to see what Outcomes we need from the research programme -if we can achieve all these outcomes we can answer the Big Question. This is the stage we are currently at for this Big Question. The next stage will be to think about the key benefits we want the research projects to deliver to meet these outcomes. Following this, we will plan the research projects to help deliver the benefits. Water companies have committed to meeting ambitious targets that reduce how much water customers use, but have recognised they need to look at both extremes of the water cycle – the point at which water is abstracted from the natural environment (which is being looked at by other research projects for this same Big Question) and the point at which it is used, enjoyed, or lost/wasted in households. HR Wallingford have just been awarded a contract to help us delve into this, read our factsheet below to know more.Improving understanding of current and future household water use
RESEARCH Outcomes
Drought resilient water supply View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits Customers accept alternative technologies Developed sustainable alternatives to freshwater abstraction Evidenced legislative proposals can be provided to government Influence and apply low cost and carbon technologies Integrated water, wastewater and stormwater management Public health, environmental, cost and legal barriers overcome There are incentives and processes to reduce abstraction We fully understand cost, benefit and impact of solutions |
Understand the risks to availability of water supplies View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits Principles and practice of sustainable abstraction are established Understand Drought and vulnerability to them. Understand the impact of Climate Change Understanding of Consumption Understanding of Environmental needs |
Minimising losses from water treatment and supply systems View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits Customers see industry “does its bit” Raw water and process losses are minimised Zero (or lowest feasible) leakage is achieved & maintained |
Deep reductions in consumption by household and non-household users View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits Costs and benefits of demand side solutions understood Demand side interventions supported by evidence Economic incentives or frameworks tested and trialled Public engaged to accept change and co-create solutions Society values water – social contract Tariff scheme benefits are well understood UKI water industry is a global leader in best practice Well defined best practice to communicate to customers |
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Projects
| Improving approaches to demand forecasting. Project Status - Expressions of Interest The 2024 Water Resource Management Plans (WRMP24) saw a step change, with the use of stochastic data sets for supply side assessments and the development of adaptive planning approaches. However, demand forecasting approaches have remained largely unchanged for the last 10 years or more. Over that time, we have experienced society changing events in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the effects of the changing climate through increases in the frequency of heatwaves, droughts and significant cold snaps. All these events have had an impact on the demand society has for water and where and how it is being used. A review of the demand forecasting approaches currently in use is required, to identify requirements improvement to ensure they remain fit for purpose for WRMP29 and beyond.
With a focus on implementation of smart metering over the coming AMP8 period, data and information on how and where water is being used will become more available and accessible to water resource planners. We need to harness the opportunity to use this information across the industry to inform our demand forecasting methods and assessment into the future.
Our understanding of the effect of climate change on demand is also improving as a result of recent experiences through the drought in 2022 and the extremes in temperatures being experienced through both heatwaves during the summer and sudden cold snaps in the winter. There is an opportunity to draw on this recent experience to inform how we assess demand in the context of climate change into the future, and the type and duration of peak demands we are experiencing across the year.
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| Understanding of current and future household consumption. Project Status - Project Completed |
| BQ How do we halve our abstractions by 2050? Research review and gap analysis. Project Status - Project Completed Category - Water Resources The Big Question of ‘How do we halve our abstractions by 2050?’ is a key strategic research programme for UKWIR. However, at present it is not clear what the research needs are. These needs should take into account what research has been done and what is currently on-going. This project will produce a community-owned list of prioritised research needs in order to halve our abstractions by 2050. This list will support the development of a research programme, form the basis for future planning and identify potential collaborations with other research organisations.
The project will enable the following: Identify the needs and potential outcomes for long-term research; Facilitate collaboration with academics, research organisations, funding agencies, and other stakeholders; Minimise the duplication of future research projects and ensure greater alignment. |
RESEARCH IMPACT - CASE STUDIES |