Around 145 litres per person per day are used within our homes (for drinking, cooking and washing) and around 95% of this is returned through our drainage system. A recommendation from the Future Homes Hub is to reduce water use to 90 litres per person per day by 2035. Cambridge hit the headlines in 2022 when the EA objected to a number of large housing schemes on the grounds of increasing abstraction levels and the consequent risk of water quality deteriorating, particularly in chalk streams in the area. Some larger schemes have now been granted planning permission but others are still being held up by 'water neutrality'⁵. At one stage this was holding up nearly 9,000 homes on strategic sites. Additionally, the Greater Cambridge Local Plan has been delayed while solutions to this issue are sought. 

The proposed solutions from the water companies comprise a transfer pipeline by 2032 and a new reservoir by 2036. In the short term, the government has proposed a water credits system where developers can purchase credits to offset their impact on water resources. These credits would then be used to retrofit properties with water demand management measures to reduce water consumption. They may also be used to provide nature-based solutions – an opportunity for the rural sector. In the immediate term, developers have to demonstrate that their proposals will cause no net increase in water consumption.

The National Planning Policy Framework is being reviewed in light of the new government's target to build 1.5 million homes (over the next parliamentary period). In Wales, to control water on land being developed, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) are used to mimic natural drainage. Since 2018 in Wales, the development of one house or more requires SuDS designed in accordance with statutory standards. In England, SuDS are only required for 'major developments' of at least ten dwellings. For many, the hope is that Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 will commence, which will require SuDS for all new developments. For a truly integrated approach, SuDs could be planned in collaboration with other sectors, e.g. agriculture, to allow increased efficiency and effectiveness of water reuse. 

Developments that aim to demonstrate their sustainability performance often go through assessments such as BREEAM⁶. For new construction projects, the assessment encourages sustainable water use in the operation of the building and its site. BREEAM credits can be achieved by reducing the demand of potable water through the provision of efficient fittings, rainwater collection and water recycling, as well as consumption monitoring, leak detection and the design efficiency of water-using processes. 

Buildings that are already operational can also implement some of these measures, as encouraged by the BREEAM In-Use framework. Savills colleagues are increasingly being asked to undertake water strategies for clients as part of the BREEAM In-Use assessment process. 

Infrastructure investment

Paul Tostevin of Savills World Research says that over the coming decades, trillions of pounds will be spent on infrastructure in a bid to future-proof water resources. While infrastructure for a public good like clean water is required, public money may only support so far and private investment is often needed to fill the gaps. Large projects can have a long payback period, which can make attracting private investment difficult. However, for the future, there is a recognition that private investment in infrastructure can support countries to meet their climate goals and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather. An October 2023 Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum survey indicated that 40% of public pension funds are expecting to increase investment allocations to infrastructure in the next 12–24 months.

^{5 Water neutrality is development that does not increase the rate of water abstraction for drinking water supplies above existing levels.} 

^{6 Code for a sustainable built environment}

HARNESSING THE POWER OF WATER WITH HYDROELECTRICITY 

Scotland has the UK’s highest mountains and largest inland lochs, which together with high levels of rainfall makes hydroelectricity generation very viable. Having started early in the 20th century with the construction of the Laggan Dam and hydroelectric system on the River Spean, Scotland now has 85% of the UK’s hydroelectric energy resource and this continues to grow with small schemes powering up local homes following an increase in government support. 

The Cairngorms National Park Authority approved two run-of-the-river hydroelectric schemes fed by Loch Gynack on the Pitmain and Glenbanchor Estate, near Kingussie. These turbines now generate 750kW, advancing the park’s goal of becoming a low-carbon economy, harnessing natural water flow for energy production and reflecting a sustainable approach to meeting local power needs. 

A WATER RESILIENCE WISHLIST

Savills three wishes for the government to support improved water resilience for rural businesses are:

1. Make more resources available to enable investment to be delivered quickly to create positive outcomes. 
2. To have a dedicated, ring-fenced funding pot for the delivery of infrastructure. 
3. Streamline processes from consultation through to planning and execution.

_{Read the articles within Water: building resilience below.}