MD of the UWLA Yvonne Orgill responded to the Environment Agency report on water companies’ performance, stating industry can help Government meet water-saving target.

She said while water companies can reduce leaks, the industry can also help by tackling consumer behaviour to reduce water use.

The UWLA published a manifesto on how it meets Government goals for water efficiency, earlier this year, during Water Saving Week.

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Yvonne Orgill commented: “In publishing this data the Government hopes to shine a light on the water saving issue and calls on water companies to take action on leaks.

“Water companies can increase water efficiency and reduce leaks but we must tackle both sides of the equation by reducing demand as well as increasing supply.

“The Unified Water Label is well accepted by industry and associated with innovative products that encourage changes in human behaviour, which will have a significant impact on reducing water use.”

She continued: “The Environment Act has set an ambitious target to reduce water use in England by 20% per head of population by 2037-38 from 2019-2020 levels.

“These targets are a long way from being met, and this is where industry can lead the way with innovative water saving products, and the Unified Water Label.

“With a focused communication programme, alongside the Unified Water Label, consumer behaviour can be influenced to educate and inform to help them make smarter choices.”

Orgill added: “The Government should consider an incentive program to support industry and encourage consumers to replace the old with new, more efficient products.

“The greatest saving will be achieved by changing behaviour.

“Government has repeatedly omitted any mention of a campaign to influence consumer behaviour when addressing water efficiency, and this is something that the UWLA has been addressing since the scheme’s inception.”

Orgill called for Government to collaborate with the KBB industry: “Industry is leading the way and the UWLA is fully committed to helping Government address the issue of water efficiency, but Government needs to understand how much industry has achieved and work together towards our goals.

“The Unified Water Label Association is stepping up its campaign to lobby government to adopt the existing Unified Water Label as the proposed mandatory label and take on board its ideas to influence consumer behaviour.”