Environment Agency predicts water deficits by 2050

Many parts of England will face “significant” water deficits by 2050 unless action is taken to increase supply and reduce demand, the Environment Agency has warned.

In the forward to the agency’s first report on water resources, published today, its chair Emma Howard Boyd writes: “If we do not increase water supply, reduce demand and cut down on wastage, many areas will face significant water deficits by 2050, particularly in the South East.”

The impact will be more extreme if England sees a combination of both high population growth and levels of carbon emissions. In this scenario, most areas will not meet demand by the 2050s if there is no action to reduce demand and increase supply of water.

Even with low population growth and modest rises in emissions, the England will see “significant” water supply deficits by the 2050s, particularly in the South East.

Current levels of abstraction are unsustainable in 28% of groundwater bodies and 18% surface waters with knock on impacts on water quality and wildlife, says the report.

And it says that the future level of demand will be partially shaped by the government choices on future electricity supply, which together with other industries swallows up more than a third of freshwater abstracted.

Higher nuclear or renewables investment will reduce demand for water but greater reliance on carbon capture and storage will lead to much higher levels of abstraction.

The report says that water companies should pursue more ambitious water resource management plans that are resilient to future stresses and develop new resources.

Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson Tim Farron described the agency’s prediction of widespread water shortages by 2050 as “deeply disturbing”.

The former Lib Dem leader said: “The prospect of a water shortage is truly shocking, particularly as a significant amount of water is lost through leakages. Our natural resources are precious. But none more so than water, vital for sustaining life on our planet.

“It is deeply disturbing that human error and a lack of long-term environmental planning are contributing factors to water shortages.”

A Water UK spokesperson said: “The water industry works hard to protect the environment, and companies will set out ambitious plans later this year which should mean less water is taken out of our rivers. We’ve also cut leakage a third since the 1990s, but we know there’s a lot more to do which is why it’s one of our top priorities.”