Following warnings from a recent House of Lords report that England could face a daily water shortfall of five billion litres by 2055 without urgent action to improve water efficiency, rainwater management and water reuse, Kevin Wellman, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), said:
"The warning that England could face significant water shortages in the coming decades underlines the urgent need to improve how we use, manage and conserve water across our built environment.
"Measures such as rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse can play an important role in reducing demand on mains water supplies, particularly in new homes and developments. However, these systems must be properly designed, installed and maintained by suitably qualified and competent professionals. When implemented incorrectly, there can be serious implications for water quality, hygiene and public health.
"At the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), we believe that improving water efficiency must go hand in hand with raising standards of competence across the industry. That's why we have been engaging with policymakers at DEFRA on the need for mandatory water efficiency training and why rainwater harvesting forms part of the plumbing apprenticeship standards we are currently developing.
"As the UK looks to strengthen its long-term water resilience, investment in skills, professional standards and public awareness will be just as important as investment in infrastructure. Water-saving technologies can deliver significant benefits, but only when they are installed safely and correctly by competent practitioners."