Following the Independent Water Commission’s review recommending regulatory action to drive the adoption of water re-use infrastructure in the UK, a new report published today, Tuesday 26 August, highlights that urgent work is needed now to equip a skilled workforce ready to ensure safety and build public trust and meet the vital need to scale up use of this technology in homes and businesses helping to tackle UK water scarcity challenges.
The report “Bridging the skills gap for water reuse in the UK,” prepared by Waterwise, as part of the Enabling Water Smart Communities (EWSC) project, identifies a shortage in workforce and supply chain capabilities for water reuse schemes, essential for addressing the UK’s escalating water scarcity challenges and supporting new housing development. Research carried out as part of the EWSC project has indicated that these water scarcity challenges could cost the UK economy £25 billion in undelivered housing over the next five years in East and South East of England.
The scoping study involved desktop research and interviews followed by a roundtable event that brought experts from the water and rainwater/reuse sectors together with training and professional skills expertise to discuss the issues and consider what action to take.
Jo Osborn, Head of Policy and Research at Waterwise said: “Through our discussions we discovered that current workforce and supply chain capabilities are insufficient to meet the projected demand for water reuse systems. The plumbing industry has an urgent need for upskilling, particularly in areas such as dual-pipe systems, water regulations, and cross-contamination prevention.”
Beyond plumbing, the report highlights a broader need for education across the construction and property sectors, including architects, designers, facilities managers, civil contractors, engineers, housebuilders, building control professionals, sales staff, and homeowners.
Jo continued: “While the report highlights the challenges, importantly it also proposes actions we can take now to address these. We have already seen positive leadership by many of the water reuse and rainwater harvesting manufacturers who have already been providing training programmes and so there is good work to build on.”
The report proposes integrating water reuse into mainstream plumbing curricula, developing standardised training programmes, and leveraging flexible learning methods such as mobile apps and virtual reality. A significant recommendation is the professionalisation of the water reuse industry through accreditation and competent person schemes, drawing parallels with the successful Gas Safe model.
George Warren, Integrated Water Manager at Anglian Water, said: “This report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent action needed to equip our workforce with the skills necessary to implement water reuse systems safely and effectively across the UK.
“Water scarcity is a growing concern, and water reuse is a vital part of the solution for a water-smart future. We cannot afford to let a skills gap hinder our progress.”
The report calls for a comprehensive strategy that includes:
- Training and education for all stakeholders
- Clarification of regulatory frameworks to provide certainty and support standardisation
- Establishment of dedicated funding opportunities to support workforce development
- Alignment of water reuse skills with national green skills strategies and net zero goals
Waterwise and EWSC urge policy makers, training providers, industry bodies, housing developers, plumbers, facility management professionals, and the wider water sector to utilise this report’s findings to inform future work programmes and accelerate the adoption of water reuse technologies.
The full report, “Bridging the skills gap for water reuse in the UK,” is available here.
ENDS
Contact:
Waterwise – chris.scullion@waterwise.org.uk
EWSC – ewsc@anglianwater.co.uk
CIWEM –nathan.gore@ciwem.org
About Waterwise:
Waterwise is the leading UK authority on water efficiency. We work to promote and drive water-saving across society, supporting policy, research, innovation and behaviour change. Our Affiliates network brings together leaders in water sustainability to share knowledge and take action. Learn more at www.waterwise.org.uk
About the Enabling Water Smart Communities Project:
Enabling Water Smart Communities (EWSC) is an Ofwat Innovation Fund project exploring the relationship between integrated water management, community engagement & practices, and housing development to unlock new opportunities for cross-sector delivery and stewardship. You can learn more about the project, and access our latest reports, at www.ewsc.org.uk
