Water supply in the UK: Towards a more sustainable future?

This paper reviews the impact of increasing environmental concerns on the UK water industry over the 30 years from early research in the 1970s to the present. From being supply driven 30 years ago, with demand being regarded as an exogenous variable, the focus is now very much on demand management. The sustainability of the freshwater environment is now the central concern. After laying down some basic principles, the impacts of this switch in focus are identified in the context of the present situation. Some key areas of environmental pressure are analysed together with current policy stances in relation to both demand management and system expansion. The impact of the introduction of domestic metering and related pricing strategies is a particular concern in relation to the former as is new water saving technology. The paper concludes with some thoughts for water resource planning in the 21st century, particularly in the context of new housing provision. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.