Debate on water scarcity

Water scarcity occurs where there is insufficient fresh water to meet both human and environmental demands. It is a relative concept, as the amount of water available depends on both supply and demand side factors. For example, water scarcity can be the result of changing precipitation patterns, environmental pollution, increases in population, industrial growth or inadequate infrastructure provision.

The Environment Agency has projected both national and regional deficits in water supply in England, with water scarcity to increase in the next 25 years. It estimates that by 2050 there will be a shortfall of nearly 5 billion litres of water per day, which is equivalent to over a third of the current water supply available for public consumption.

The main drivers of water scarcity in England by 2050 are climate change, population growth and housing demand, business growth, protecting the natural environment and increasing drought preparedness. These are coupled with challenges relating to increasing supply, including securing new resources, and decreasing demand through policy measures.

For more information on water resources are managed, see the Library research briefing on Future water resources. The government published its revised Environmental Improvement Plan in December 2025, which sets out overarching goals relating to the water environment, including measures to reduce demand and increase supply.

Additionally, the government has said that the water sector will be subject to further reform within this Parliament, following the independent Cunliffe review; for more information on reforms, see the library research briefing on Economic regulation of the water industry.

The following information relates to England only, as water is a devolved policy matter, however challenges of water scarcity are transboundary and exist across all parts of the UK.