Environment Agency warns England faces 5 billion litre a day water shortfall by 2055

The Environment Agency published its National Framework for Water Resources on 17 June 2025, warning that England faces a 5 billion litre a day shortfall for public water supplies by 2055 without urgent action to futureproof resources, and a further 1 billion litre a day deficit for the wider economy¹. The report is published every five years and sets out the actions required by water companies, regulators, businesses and the public to manage water usage into the future¹.

The Environment Agency expects 60% of the deficit to be addressed by water companies managing demand and reducing leaks, with the remaining 40% from boosting supply, including new reservoirs and water transfer schemes¹. Water company pledges include cutting leakage by 17% in the next five years and by 50% by 2050, and rolling out ten million more smart meters; the average person on a meter uses 122 litres per day, compared with 171 litres without one¹. Water company plans include nine new desalination schemes, 10 new reservoirs and seven new water recycling schemes by 2050¹. The agency will also continue work with Government on a mandatory efficiency labelling scheme for appliances such as dishwashers, toilets and showers¹.

Separate campaign material published by Wiltshire & Swindon Prepared states that most people in England use nearly 140 litres a day and that each person needs to save about 28 litres daily, all year round². It says climate change means drier summers and heavier winter rain, making it harder for rivers and reservoirs to refill, and that using too much water harms the environment and wildlife and can make droughts last longer². Its everyday examples include cutting a shower by two minutes to save 28 litres, using a washing up bowl instead of a running tap to save 10 litres per minute, fixing a leaky loo to save up to 400 litres a day, and using eco-mode on appliances to save 10 litres per wash². The two figures for average daily use, nearly 140 litres² and 171 litres for people without a meter¹, are not directly comparable as reported.

Ofwat Chief Executive David Black said the regulator announced £8bn of funding at Price Review 2024, and that the way is now clear for the industry to build on the recently opened £5 billion Thames Tideway project by delivering an expanded pipeline of 30 major projects in England and Wales¹. Since the last framework in 2020, five regional water resources groups have been established or bolstered, and regulators EA, Ofwat and the Drinking Water Inspectorate have formed RAPID to accelerate large infrastructure projects¹. The Environment Agency says schemes in Sussex, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk have previously been delayed because of limited water supply, and that water shortages can lead to lower crop yields and higher food prices¹.

Why it matters for households

The framework covers England and sets out changes expected from water companies, regulators, businesses and the public over the coming decades, with the 2055 shortfall as the headline risk if nothing changes¹. For households, the measures reported include more smart meters to show where water is wasted, possible mandatory efficiency labelling on appliances, and continued work on leakage¹. The Wiltshire & Swindon Prepared campaign states that the water industry is investing billions to upgrade the network but that small changes by everyone at home and at work will make a big difference, and lists the savings above as its examples². Practical guidance on managing without a supply is set out in the site's water hub and in how to wash without running water.

What happens next

The framework sets out actions for water companies, regulators, businesses and the public, with leakage reductions pledged over the next five years and by 2050, and new infrastructure planned by 2050¹. No further dated milestones beyond those in the framework have been reported.