After a very warm, very dry summer, water scarcity is a hot topic for all industries in the UK. Although water shortages are headline news across the country, short-term measures, including hosepipe bans and usage restrictions alone, cannot solve the problem.
A long-term strategy is needed to ensure communities and businesses have the water supply they need to grow and thrive. That is where water security comes in.
What is water security?
The United Nations outlines the core pillars of water security as: Drinking water and human well-being, ecosystems, economic activities, and water-related hazards and climate change.
Drinking water
For human health and wellbeing, people need access to a plentiful supply of affordable and safe water. Drinking water is used in so many basic functions, like hydration, hygiene and sanitation, that it is often taken for granted until the supply runs short.
Water-related hazards and climate change
Communities need a water supply that is resilient enough to withstand the effects of climate change, whether that is summer droughts or winter flooding. Contaminated supplies due to pollution also need to be managed.
In the UK, protecting water supply and ecosystems is the role of the Environment Agency for England and in Scotland the Scottish Environment Protection Agency manages it.
These organisations, alongside OfWat the water regulator, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate, are responsible for resources, water quality, and risk to the environment and people.
Economic activities
The water supply must be sufficient for the production of food and energy. It also needs to support industry, tourism and transport for the country. Without enough water, production and trade would not flourish, and there is a risk of economic decline.
Ecosystems
In the UK, freshwater is sourced from rivers, reservoirs, lakes and underground aquifers. Without a consistent resupply of rainwater, these sources can run dry and have a huge impact on ecosystems, flora and fauna.
If ecosystems fail due to lack of fresh water and rain, it will impact farming and, therefore, local and regional food supply chains.
Each of these components of water security is underpinned by funding, political stability, governance and cooperation between countries and states. Although the latter does not always apply to the UK, the remaining support systems are essential for every country.
Will issues with water security impact food supplies?
Water security has a direct impact on food production in the UK, which affects everyone. Recent droughts and concern about future water scarcity raise questions about the stability of food production in the UK.
Farmers who rely on local waterways for irrigating crops are finding that river water levels are not high enough. Thirsty crops have withered in the heat and been ruined.
In some instances, the Environment Agency has intervened to prevent farmers from using local river water in order to protect the wildlife and prevent it from running completely dry.
Fruit and vegetable farmers have joined forces with supermarket chain Morrisons and researchers at Harper Adams University to present their concerns about water supply to the House of Lords in November.
The hope is to draw attention to the impact of higher temperatures and less rainfall on food security in the UK. They will be asking for agricultural water supply to be considered a strategic importance, in line with other industries.
If farmers cannot provide food due to a shortage of water, then the country will be more reliant on imported produce to make up the difference.
Currently, the UK imports 85 per cent of fruit and 47 per cent of vegetables, often from countries that are also suffering the effects of heatwaves and water shortages.
Further reliance on imported produce will mean food shortages and would impact the wider economy, as food prices would rise significantly.
What types of industries are affected by water security?
Agriculture is an industry that will be significantly affected by water shortages, with severe consequences should crop yields plummet. However, there are many other industries and businesses that will also be affected if the water supply runs out.
Another vital use for water is in power generation. Reservoirs supplying hydroelectric power cannot function as well if the water level is too low. Water is also needed for electricity production in nuclear and fossil fuel power stations, where it is used as a coolant.
Businesses that operate in the food and beverage industry need water for food processing and preparation, drinks manufacturing, and sanitation. Hospitality and leisure facilities such as spas, hotels, gyms and golf clubs will also be impacted.
Technology companies that use water as a coolant for server farms and heavier industries, such as chemical processing firms and vehicle manufacturers, will feel the pinch if water supplies are unreliable.
Sustainability policy experts have warned that with continued water deficits and water insecurity, businesses stand to feel the impact of rising costs and interruptions to operations on profit margins.
This is particularly the case with businesses that do not track consumption and do not have contingency planning for water shortages, or when volume caps and bans are imposed.
How can businesses prepare themselves for water shortages?
With droughts and water use bans as a threat to daily operations, what can you do to protect yourself and ensure your business survives?
The first step would be to find out how much water the business uses on a monthly, quarterly and yearly basis. Given fluctuations in seasonal demand for some industries, summer water use will be vastly different from winter.
Your business water retailer can supply usage data if the business’s SPID is metered. If your connection does not have smart metering, consider contacting your water retailer or switching business water company.
Assessing the risk of water restrictions and stoppages and the consequences for a particular industry or business. If possible, put a contingency plan in place so that business as usual can continue.
Next, businesses can look at ways to reduce consumption and become more efficient. This can be through educating staff, fitting water-saving devices or developing new processes.
Many water retailers provide services that can assist with water audits and show where efficiencies and savings can be made. If your water company does not provide this, consider switching suppliers to one that does.
Another consideration, which may not be an option for all businesses, is to diversify the water supply. Instead of relying entirely on piped potable water, use recycled rainwater or grey water systems.
The British Geological Society have stated that despite summer droughts, the UK’s underground water supplies are still plentiful. Access to groundwater and aquifers could reduce a firm’s reliance on national and regional water infrastructure.
