Current water use is unsustainable and water funding, costs and provision can no longer be taken for granted but must be identified as a political priority.

The All Party Parliamentary Water Group report highlights the importance of universal metering, combined with social tariffs, to support vulnerable customers and improve efficiency savings and urges the Government to progress their introduction. To speed up the process of improving water efficiency, the group supports the development of water efficient labelling and a tightening of existing regulations for new housing and existing housing stock.

The group is also concerned about the sector’s continued vulnerability to flooding, and therefore calls on the Government to immediately address issues around surface water drainage and to clarify ownership.