What UK Businesses Can Do to Help This World Water Week

What UK Businesses Can Do to Help This World Water Week

August 2025

Access to clean water and proper sanitation is not only a fundamental human right, it’s a foundation of public health, economic development, and environmental sustainability. Often framed as a challenge in developing countries, the reality is that water security is an increasingly pressing issue here in the UK, too. This year’s World Water Week (24–28 August) serves as a timely reminder that clean water is not an infinite resource, and that UK businesses have a vital role to play in its protection. 

Water scarcity in the UK: turning risk into resilience and opportunity 

Despite global progress, over 2.2 billion people still lack access to safely managed drinking water, and 3.5 billion live without adequate sanitation (United Nations, 2023). In the UK, prolonged dry weather has prompted hosepipe bans, and daily water shortfalls could reach five billion litres by 2055 without action (Environment Agency, 2025). Meanwhile, one in five litres of water is currently lost to leaks, highlighting the strain on ageing infrastructure amid climate pressures. 

But this is also a moment of possibility. As our summers grow hotter and drier, forward-looking businesses are recognising water stewardship as a driver of resilience, innovation, and competitive advantage. From manufacturing and agriculture to construction, food production, and even office-based organisations, companies are rethinking water use to reduce risk, strengthen productivity, enhance reputation, and support a more sustainable future. 

New UK legislation raises the bar on water responsibility 

Recent legislative developments reflect the urgency. The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 strengthens regulatory enforcement, giving authorities greater power to reduce leakage, combat pollution and improve water quality. At the same time, environmental, social and governance (ESG) expectations are evolving. Investors, regulators and customers increasingly expect businesses to report transparently on environmental impacts - and water is quickly becoming a key performance indicator. 

The environmental impact of poor water management 

The environmental implications are also mounting. Globally, between 1700 and 2000, over 85% of wetlands had been lost, with consequences for climate regulation, biodiversity, and flood resilience (IPBES, 2019). In the UK, the challenge is clear: pollution from sewage overflows, agricultural run-off and industrial discharge continues to degrade rivers, lakes and coastal waters. In 2024, just 64.2% of UK bathing waters were rated “excellent”, a decline from previous years and below the European average (DEFRA, 2024).  By protecting and restoring waterways, businesses can drive progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land), boost biodiversity, and improve community wellbeing. 

Water and public health: what businesses need to know 

Water quality also links directly to health, with unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene accounting for an estimated 2.5% of the global deaths in 2019 (WHO, 2023). In the UK, sewage spills have triggered serious public concern, and while 849,800 people in England rely on private water supplies, many do not have risk assessments (Surfers Against Sewage, 2025; DWI, 2024).  

Water inequality and global supply chain responsibility 

Inequalities linked with water access highlight the need for businesses to assess and manage water risks in their supply chains. For example, in many parts of the world, women and girls bear the primary responsibility for collecting water that is sparse, limiting opportunities for education and employment and perpetuating poverty. Inadequate sanitation also leads to missed school days, particularly during menstruation.  

What UK businesses can do to support water sustainability 

Every organisation can take steps to protect water and public health. Simple actions, from fixing leaks to installing low-flow fixtures and harvesting rainwater, to understanding and reducing water use in manufacturing processes, save water and reduce costs. In water-intensive industries, understanding water use across product life cycles is essential. Producing a single pair of jeans, for instance, can require around 7,500 litres of water: a reminder of the hidden water embedded in goods (UN, 2019). 

Beyond direct water use, businesses can influence change through procurement, investment and advocacy. Financial institutions can fund water resilience projects, while retailers and manufacturers can work with suppliers that prioritise water stewardship. Supporting clean water and sanitation in partner factories and farms protects worker wellbeing, supports productivity, and creates long-term value. There’s an economic case too, as providing universal access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene could yield economic benefits equivalent to 21 times the investment (WaterAid, 2021). Companies can also engage locally, such as through river cleanups as part of paid employee volunteering. 

Make water part of your sustainability strategy 

This World Water Week, UK organisations of all sizes have an opportunity to step up. Clean water and sanitation are not just global development goals, but business essentials. Whether through operations, partnerships, supply chains or investment, taking responsibility for water is not only the right thing to do but a strategic imperative. Building water resilience now is key to protecting your organisation’s, and the world’s, future. 

Sources: 

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) (2024). 2024 Statistics on English coastal and inland bathing waters: A summary of compliance with the 2013 bathing water regulations. [online] GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/bathing-water-quality-statistics/2024-statistics-on-english-coastal-and-inland-bathing-waters-a-summary-of-compliance-with-the-2013-bathing-water-regulations.  

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) (2025). Water supplies and testing - Drinking Water Inspectorate. [online] Drinking Water Inspectorate. Available at: https://www.dwi.gov.uk/what-we-do/annual-report/drinking-water-2024/drinking-water-2024-summary-of-the-chief-inspectors-report-for-drinking-water-in-england/water-supplies-and-testing/. 

Environment Agency (2025). England faces 5 billion litre public water shortage by 2055 without urgent action. [online] GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/england-faces-5-billion-litre-public-water-shortage-by-2055-without-urgent-action.  

IPBES (2019). Media Release: Nature’s Dangerous Decline ‘Unprecedented’; Species Extinction Rates ‘Accelerating’ | IPBES. [online] Ipbes.net. Available at: https://www.ipbes.net/news/Media-Release-Global-Assessment. 

Ofwat (2025). Leakage. [online] Ofwat. Available at: https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/households/supply-and-standards/leakage/. 

Surfers Against Sewage (2025). Water Quality Report 2025. [online] Surfers Against Sewage. Available at: https://www.sas.org.uk/resource/water-quality-report-2025/.  

United Nations (2019). UN Launches Drive to Highlight Environmental Cost of Staying Fashionable. [online] UN News. Available at: https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/03/1035161. 

United Nations (2023). Goal 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all. [online] United Nations Sustainable Development. Available at: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/. 

WaterAid (2021). Economic report shows return on investment in water, sanitation and hygiene. [online] WaterAid. Available at: https://www.wateraid.org/us/media/economic-report-unlock-trillions-of-dollars-with-clean-water-decent-toilets-and-hygiene. 

World Health Organization (WHO) (2019). Water, sanitation and hygiene burden of disease. [online] Who.int. Available at: https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/topics/water-sanitation-and-hygiene-burden-of-disease?