Waterwise Response to Independent Water Commission Report

Waterwise is encouraged by the publication of Sir Jon Cunliffe’s Independent Water Commission report and its ambition for a fundamental reset of the water sector in England and Wales. With 88 recommendations, this report sets out important elements of a better-managed water system, including the vital area of water efficiency.

The final report recognises that the sector requires fundamental reform on all sides, including how we manage demands on water and the urgent need to strengthen the long-term strategic direction for water. The report sets a clear and welcome direction for embedding water efficiency as a core pillar of sector transformation – alongside infrastructure investment, tighter regulation, and stronger governance.

“Changing water demand is an important part of ensuring that we have the water that we need. We talk about extending compulsory metering, convincing us all to use less, and nudging behaviour. We also need to develop the grey-water systems for industrial use and households, plus overcome the regulatory barriers. We need to think about how we use buildings and how we provide for these new homes we’re building too, but you’re right, [water efficiency is] an extremely important part of the problem.”
– Sir Jon Cunliffe, responding today to Waterwise Head of Policy and Research Jo Osborn at the Commission Report launch.

Nicci Russell, Waterwise CEO, said “We have been closely engaged with the Commission’s work and are delighted that it centres greater water efficiency as a key part of the solution to its wide and deep analysis of what needs to change in the water sector in England and Wales. We are delighted that many of our recommendations have been reflected in the final report, and we will continue to hold governments to account for taking these forward, building on their work to date. As well as the specific recommendations on water efficiency, water re-use and smart metering, many of the more strategic changes Cunliffe recommends will also open the door for greater water efficiency. Nothing happens without water, and we are running out of water across the UK – Sir Jon Cunliffe has recognised that and the next steps sit with the UK and Welsh Governments!”

Waterwise is encouraged by the call for National Water Strategies for England and Wales, supported by a Ministerial Statement of Water Priorities, recognising the need to prepare for a drier future and to accelerate demand reduction across society and the economy. Greater political direction of the water sector – and an increase in regulatory supervision – will help address the democratic deficit we set out in our evidence to the Cunliffe review here. Waterwise particularly welcomes the recommendation to rationalise water system planning and focus efforts on two core frameworks: Water Supply and Water Environment. The creation of independent regional planning bodies that align national targets with local priorities is a significant step forward.

The report rightly points out that water must be factored into wider government policy and strategy, including Net Zero, the Environment Improvement Plan, and national infrastructure delivery. We welcome the proposal to rationalise and strengthen legislation and statutory targets – building on existing statutory targets to reduce per capita water use by 20% by 2038, with a long-term goal of reaching 110 litres per person per day by 2050 – and call on the government to ensure ambitious national targets are not only set but met, with a strengthened focus on water efficiency to address the urgent supply/demand gap.

We are also encouraged that the report recommends setting new peak water demand targets and rationalising and strengthening water resource targets. The Commission’s recommendation to accelerate smart metering rollout, removing restrictions on where meters can be rolled out compulsorily, and – with associated standards – is one of the most impactful demand-side measures we can take. We also welcome the recognition that current tariffs disincentivise efficient use and support reforms – such as removing falling block tariffs so that businesses will no longer be rewarded with cheaper water for using larger amounts – that will encourage both fairness and water-saving behaviour. And we welcome the recommendation for a fundamental review of the business water market in England – including in the context of water scarcity as lots of water is currently being wasted by organisations.

We are very supportive of the report’s recommendation of going much further on water re-use in homes and businesses – this will be important to get down to the lower levels of water use we need to make sure there is enough water for society, the economy and the environment – both now and in the future. We welcome this, and urge fast development of the policy and regulatory frameworks needed to drive water re-use adoption and ambition across all sectors.

We will watch with interest how the UK and Welsh Governments respond to the recommendations in the Cunliffe report which haven’t been addressed in press releases today and over the weekend – including those mentioned above and also these specific areas where Waterwise continues to urge government to go further, on water efficiency:

Urgently implement the mandatory UK water efficiency labelling scheme to empower consumers and businesses.
Increasing water-saving ambition in Building Regulations, where the report references government consultations on tightening standards to 105 and even 100 l/p/d, but does not go far enough in pushing these forward.

Updating the Energy Performance Certificate to include water efficiency.
Requiring very high water-using businesses to report on efforts to reduce their usage.
Urgently implement the mandatory UK water efficiency labelling scheme to empower consumers and businesses.
Mandatory leak detection in all buildings – a gap in the current recommendations.

In her response to the report, Water Minister Emma Hardy highlighted the importance of a fairer billing system, upgrading infrastructure, and supporting vulnerable customers. She urged households to contact their water company for help – particularly through social tariff schemes and WaterSure – if they need more water due to disability or other circumstances. This emphasis on affordability, fairness, and equity sits well alongside the Commission’s demand-side recommendation – and our own inclusive vision that water is used wisely every day, everywhere, by everyone.

With the report stating that 94% of people underestimate how much water they use, we welcome the increased focus on smart metering, public engagement, and behaviour change as essential tools to help households and businesses value and use water more wisely. In this context we support Ofwat’s £75m Water Efficiency Campaign which, alongside Waterwise’s own work and that of the water companies, will help drive this change.

Waterwise sees this report – and the Government’s response to it – as a landmark opportunity to reposition water efficiency as a core strategy for resilience, climate adaptation, and affordability. The recommendations reflect what we’ve long advocated: that efficiency must be mainstreamed, with stronger regulation, smarter incentives, and wider engagement across society.

We look forward to working with the UK (for England) and Welsh Governments, the two new single regulators for England and Wales, regional planning bodies, and industry partners to help turn this blueprint into action – ensuring water efficiency is at the heart of a fair, sustainable, and resilient water system.

About Waterwise

Waterwise is the UK’s leading independent non-for-profit voice on water efficiency. Passionate about creating a future where water is valued and used sustainably, Waterwise works across policy, research, regulation, and public engagement. We help individuals, businesses, and governments understand the value of water – so there’s enough for people, nature, and the economy now and in the future.

Our Vision: Water is used wisely every day, everywhere, by everyone.
Our Mission: To lead and inspire change so that water is never wasted.

Waterwise is happy to take press enquiries or interviews. Please contact carla.faulkner@waterwise.org.uk

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Read the full Independent Water Commission Report on the Government website here.