Future Water Demand

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Why is the project relevant to you?

A key aim of this project was to identify and demonstrate examples of best practice that could inform the next iteration of "The Water Resources Management Planning guidelines". By testing new approaches to forecasting non-household water demand. In addition, the project also collated a high-level overview of the water demand factors for 2 rapidly expanding sectors: hydrogen production and data centres.

Key messages for National policy makers

Mandating water efficient design and process for commercial properties and processes would help safeguard water resources for future economic activity and growth, while still enabling growth today.

Call to action

Greater consistency in planning application forms, which include requirements to outline the expected water needs would help water companies better understand near-term growth.

Call to action

Introducing clear, standardised expectations for water use in keysectors, such as data centres, would not only improve the accuracy of demand forecasting but alsoencourage the adoption of water efficient design and processes and avoid costly retrofitting in the future.

Establishing these standards would support more consistent planning assumptions across the water industry, strengthen long term water resource plans, and help ensure that new developments contribute to a resilient and efficient water system.

Call to action