New report calls for urgent action to bridge skills gap for water reuse in the UK
Following the Independent Water Commission’s review recommending regulatory action to drive the adoption of water reuse infrastructure in the UK, a new report highlights that urgent work is needed now to equip a skilled workforce ready to ensure safety and build public trust and meet the vital need to scale up use of this technology in homes and businesses helping to tackle UK water scarcity challenges.
The report “Bridging the skills gap for water reuse in the UK” prepared by Waterwise, as part of the Enabling Water Smart Communities (EWSC) project, identifies a shortage in workforce and supply chain capabilities for water reuse schemes, essential for addressing the UK’s escalating water scarcity challenges and supporting new housing development. A previous report published by EWSC indicated that these water scarcity challenges could cost the UK economy £25 billion in undelivered housing over the next five years in East and South East of England.
The scoping study involved desktop research and interviews followed by a roundtable event that brought experts from the water and rainwater/reuse sectors together with training and professional skills expertise to discuss the issues and consider what action to take.
Jo Osborn, Head of Policy and Research at Waterwise said: “Through our discussions we discovered that current workforce and supply chain capabilities are insufficient to meet the projected demand for water reuse systems. The plumbing industry has an urgent need for upskilling, particularly in areas such as dual-pipe systems, water regulations, and cross-contamination prevention.”
Beyond plumbing, the report highlights a broader need for education across the construction and property sectors, including architects, designers, facilities managers, civil contractors, engineers, house-builders, building control professionals, sales staff, and homeowners.
The report proposes integrating water reuse into mainstream plumbing curricula, developing standardised training programmes, and leveraging flexible learning methods such as mobile apps and virtual reality. A significant recommendation is the professionalisation of the water reuse industry through accreditation and competent person schemes, drawing parallels with the successful Gas Safe model.
The report also calls for a comprehensive strategy that includes:
Training and education for all stakeholders
Clarification of regulatory frameworks to provide certainty and support standardisation
Establishment of dedicated funding opportunities to support workforce development
Alignment of water reuse skills with national green skills strategies and net zero goals
Waterwise and EWSC urge policy makers, training providers, industry bodies, housing developers, plumbers, facility management professionals, and the wider water sector to utilise this report’s findings to inform future work programmes and accelerate the adoption of water reuse technologies.
You can read the full report here.
Reaction to the report’s launch
Jo Osborn, Head of Policy and Research, Waterwise
“While the report highlights the challenges, importantly it also proposes actions we can take now to address these. We have already seen positive leadership by many of the water reuse and rainwater harvesting manufacturers who have already been providing training programmes and so there is good work to build on.”
George Warren, Integrated Water Manager, Anglian Water
“This report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent action needed to equip our workforce with the skills necessary to implement water reuse systems safely and effectively across the UK. Water scarcity is a growing concern, and water reuse is a vital part of the solution for a water-smart future. We cannot afford to let a skills gap hinder our progress.”
About the organisations
Waterwise – Waterwise is the leading UK authority on water efficiency. We work to promote and drive water-saving across society, supporting policy, research, innovation and behaviour change. Our Affiliates network brings together leaders in water sustainability to share knowledge and take action. Learn more at www.waterwise.org.uk
Enabling Water Smart Communities – An innovation project exploring the relationship between integrated water management, community engagement & practices, and housing development to unlock new opportunities for cross-sector delivery and stewardship.
For more information about the report and for press enquiries, please contact: ewsc@anglianwater.co.uk.
EWSC: Further reading
This report touches on a number of key workstreams from the EWSC project, including: