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Which industry consumes the most water in the UK?

Water is one of the most valuable resources in the UK, yet its environmental impact is often underestimated. Treating and transporting water is energy-intensive, contributing to carbon emissions in ways that many businesses overlook.

According to the Environment Agency, water companies in England reported abstracting around 14,664 megalitres per day in 2023-24. With demand expected to rise further, businesses should consider ways to manage their water consumption more efficiently.

This article highlights the industries and products that consume the most water and offers practical tips for businesses looking to cut their water use.

What are the highest consuming industries of water in the UK?

Water plays a crucial role in many industries, with some sectors consuming far more than others. Below, we look at the industries that use the most water and explain why their processes demand such high volumes.

Agriculture

Agriculture relies heavily on water for irrigation and livestock. Growing crops, particularly those that require large amounts of water, places considerable demand on resources. Livestock farming also uses water for drinking, cleaning, and general farm maintenance.

Food production

The food production industry uses large volumes of water in factories and processing plants. Water is essential for cooling products, processing ingredients, and cleaning machinery. From beverages to baked goods, food requires significant water use at various stages of manufacturing.

Hospitality

Hotels, restaurants, and catering services consume significant amounts of water. In hotels, bathrooms and showers account for a large portion of water use, along with laundry services and general cleaning. Restaurants also rely heavily on water for cooking, cleaning, and dishwashing.

Electricity and gas production

Gas, coal and nuclear power stations use substantial volumes of water as electricity generation relies on heating water into steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity.

Retail and trade

While less obvious, retail businesses also contribute to high water usage. Water is required to clean premises, maintain cooling systems in stores, and ensure product hygiene in food retail outlets.

How many litres of water does it take to make a single product?

Source: IFT

Did you know: It takes 147,631 litres of water on average to produce a car.

Which country consumes the most water?

The following countries have the highest total water abstraction, measured in billion cubic meters (billion m³) per year:

India: 761 billion m³
China: 581 billion m³
United States: 444 billion m³
Indonesia: 223 billion m³
Pakistan: 183 billion m³
Iran: 93.3 billion m³
Mexico: 89.5 billion m³
Philippines: 85.9 billion m³
Vietnam: 82 billion m³
Japan: 78.4 billion m³

These figures reflect total water consumption across agriculture, industry, and domestic use combined.

Source: World Population Review

What you can do to reduce your annual water consumption as a business

There are many ways to reduce your water consumption as a business. Some methods are simple and can deliver quick results, while others require a longer-term strategy but offer significant savings over time.

Here are some effective ways your business can reduce water consumption:

Rainwater harvesting: Collect and store rainwater for practical tasks such as vehicle washing, outdoor cleaning, or irrigation for green spaces. This reduces reliance on mains water for non-drinking purposes.
Regular checks for leaks: Commercial water leaks can waste thousands of litres of water. Regular inspections and smart leak detection systems help identify and fix problems early.
Water efficiency devices: Install devices like tap aerators, cistern reduction units, and efficient showerheads to cut water use without affecting performance.
Efficient appliances and equipment: Upgrading to water-efficient appliances, such as eco dishwashers and washing machines, can help reduce overall water consumption.
Employee awareness: Educate staff to adopt simple habits like turning taps off properly and reporting leaks to prevent water waste.
Smart water monitoring: Use a smart water meter or monitoring system to track water usage, spot unexpected spikes and leaks, and identify areas for improvement.

For more ideas and practical advice, visit our full guide to reducing business water consumption.

Future of industrial water consumption in the UK

The UK faces increasing pressure on water resources, with climate change, population growth, and ageing infrastructure all contributing to a growing problem of water scarcity..

According to GOV.UK, England could face a daily water shortfall of over 4.8 billion litres by 2050 if no action is taken, putting serious strain on industries that depend on large volumes of water.

Climate change is expected to worsen the situation. Research from the UK Climate Resilience Programme projects that river flows could fall by up to 50% in some regions by 2080, posing significant risks to industrial operations. Southern England is predicted to be the hardest hit, with droughts likely to become longer and more severe.

For industries like energy production, this presents serious risks. Future power stations in the East of England, for example, are already facing concerns about how they will secure a sustainable water supply.

Without careful planning and investment in water efficiency, the industrial sector could face disrupted operations, rising costs, and supply chain challenges. Businesses that act now by improving efficiency and adopting smarter water management strategies will be better placed to cope with these pressures in the years ahead.

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Comparing tariffs and finding a sustainable business water tariff only takes a few minutes, and you could significantly save your annual business water bill.

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