Water scarcity is a pressing issue that is only expected to worsen with the changing climate. The Environment Agency has identified certain areas in the UK as ‘water-stressed’, meaning they are at risk of facing droughts or floods. To combat these challenges, water and sewerage companies are gearing up for a massive £24bn investment to build more reservoirs and increase water resources. Additionally, £56bn is set to be spent on constructing massive storage tanks to manage storm overflows.

However, Matt Wheeldon, infrastructure development director at Wessex Water, believes that these large-scale infrastructure projects are not sustainable solutions in the long run. He argues that moving vast volumes of water over long distances requires a significant amount of energy and contributes to high carbon emissions. Instead, he suggests a more localized approach to managing water resources.

Wheeldon points out that rainwater is often seen as either a resource for drinking or a problem to be disposed of, but the two are interconnected. By capturing and using rainwater locally, households can reduce their reliance on purified tap water for non-potable uses like watering gardens, flushing toilets, and washing clothes. This approach, commonly practiced in countries like Australia, Germany, Belgium, and Singapore, can lead to greater water supply resilience, cleaner rivers and seas, and a lower carbon footprint.

Despite the benefits of rainwater harvesting, the UK lacks a cohesive national strategy for its management. Current laws and regulations are fragmented, leading to a disjointed approach to rainwater treatment. Housebuilders also have a role to play in promoting sustainable water practices by integrating rainwater harvesting systems into new developments.

Several companies, such as Alumasc, MTI Wireless, and Kingspan, offer rainwater harvesting solutions, but their adoption in the UK is still limited. Shareholders can push for greater accountability from housebuilders to prioritize rainwater management in new developments, ensuring that rain is treated as a valuable resource to be captured and reused locally.

By embracing rainwater harvesting practices, the UK can move towards building homes that efficiently utilize this natural resource and reduce the strain on traditional water sources. It is time to shift towards a more sustainable and decentralized approach to water management, starting from our own homes.