Conclusion 16

The government has relied on water companies, which have a statutory duty to promote the efficient use of water to their customers, to promote the need to reduce water consumption. But there is no evidence of the impact on consumer awareness or behaviour of what water companies are doing.29 Personal consumption now stands at 143 litres per day, an increase of 3% since 2014–15, significantly higher than Germany at 121 litres (2016–17) and the average of 128 litres for EU member countries (2017).30 Saving energy is much more engrained in public consciousness than saving water.31 The NAO highlighted the need for the Department to consider ways of promoting the need for water efficiency more coherently to ensure there is a coordinated and credible message.32 Ofwat told us it was something that the regulators, government and the industry collectively want to address.33