Water companies set out how they plan to continue to supply water to their customers through statutory Water Resources Management Plans (WRMPs). Within their plans, water companies must consider all options, including demand management and new water resources infrastructure, such as desalination.

Each type of water resources infrastructure comes with challenges, whether that is land-take for reservoirs, or treatment and pumping costs for transfers or desalination. Water company WRMPs process is where such questions are considered. The Environment Agency’s summary of the WRMPs sets out the desalination plants proposed by water companies in England (see table 8): Appendix C: Revised draft water resources management plans supply options - GOV.UK.

Climate change, population growth and economic development mean we must act now to secure resilient long-term water supplies, while protecting and improving the environment.

The Government is taking a diverse and coordinated approach, combining demand reduction, environmental protection and new infrastructure, including the potential role that desalination could play in future water supply systems.

Alongside desalination plants, wider plans include new reservoirs, water recycling and water transfer schemes.

Water companies are responsible for researching and selecting the best value water supply options to sustainably secure water supplies for their customers. Government and regulators require water companies to consider desalination alongside all other water supply and demand management options to meet future water needs, which could amount to an additional 5 billion litres per day by 2055. The latest water company Water Resources Management Plans (WRMPs) contain proposals for 9 new desalination plants.

A list of significant water resources infrastructure projects that water companies propose in their WRMPs, including the desalination plants, is available on GOV.UK.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. We remain deeply concerned at the lack of fuel supply in Gaza, which puts vital services such as water desalination at risk. On 18 July, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) described the deepening fuel crisis in Gaza, including the impact on solid waste collection and availability of clean water supplies and health services. We highlighted the impact of the lack of fuel on water supplies and hospitals and the critical situation for Gaza's children at a session of the UN Security Council which we co-called on 16 July. The Foreign Secretary raised the importance of ensuring adequate healthcare for Palestinians in a call with Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 22 July. As the Prime Minister stated on 29 July, the UK will recognize the state of Palestine in September unless Israel takes substantive steps to end the crisis, including restarting without delay the supply of humanitarian support to the people of Gaza to end starvation.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. We remain deeply concerned at the lack of fuel supply in Gaza, which puts vital services such as water desalination at risk. On 18 July, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) described the deepening fuel crisis in Gaza, including the impact on solid waste collection and availability of clean water supplies and health services. We highlighted the impact of the lack of fuel on water supplies and hospitals and the critical situation for Gaza's children at a session of the UN Security Council which we co-called on 16 July, and at the International Development Committee on 16 July.

Gaza's desalination plants rely on fuel and hardly any fuel has been allowed to enter Gaza for over 4 months. The acute shortage is threatening to shut down water supply, hospitals and ambulances. The UK continues to demand a full and unhindered resumption of aid, including fuel, into Gaza immediately, and for the repair and protection of essential civilian infrastructure. We continue to raise this issue as a matter of priority with our Israeli counterparts.

Recognising the vital role that desalination plants play in providing clean drinking water to civilians in Gaza, the UK supported efforts to establish a Gaza Central Desalination Programme through the World Bank. This work is currently on hold due to the conflict, and the programme has been restructured to meet urgent, short-term water needs in Gaza.

A secure water supply is essential for every home and business throughout the country. It is the foundation of our economy, our communities and our security.

Water companies have a statutory duty to provide a secure supply of water for customers, efficiently and economically and set out how they plan to continue to supply water to their customers through statutory Water Resources Management Plans (WRMPs). These plans set out how each company will continue to meet its supply duty and manage water supply and demand, including fixing leaks, sustainably for at least the next 25 years. Within their plans, water companies must consider all options, including demand management and new water resources including reservoirs and water transfers.

The latest WRMPs include proposals for nine new desalination schemes in England. Further information about the schemes can be found at: Appendix C: Revised draft water resources management plans supply options - GOV.UK.

The carbon footprint of water supply schemes is an integral factor for water companies in considering how future water demand should be met. The water industry has made net zero commitments by 2030, and the Government has ensured that Water Resources Management Plans (WRMP), which outline water company proposals for new supplies and demand reduction measures, describe how all measures contribute to company and Government net zero commitments.

Water demand is growing due to climate change, the need for drought resilience, population growth and to address unsustainable abstraction. Where water companies have planned new desalination plants, they have shown that the scheme is part of a best value plan for society. This includes assessment balancing the costs, carbon footprint, environmental impacts and social benefits of all potential alternatives for increasing water supply and reducing demand. Regulators have scrutinised WRMPs and are satisfied that only best value schemes have been proposed that meet the challenges facing water supplies.

Recognising the vital role that desalination plants play in providing clean drinking water to civilians in Gaza, the UK supported efforts to establish a Gaza Central Desalination Programme through the World Bank. This work is currently on hold due to the conflict, and the programme has been restructured to meet urgent, short-term water needs in Gaza.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) is coordinating the UK’s humanitarian response to deliver lifesaving assistance through trusted partners, including the UN, to the people who need it in Gaza.

The Ministry of Defence has provided military support when needed to facilitate the FCDO’s response. As of 13 November, three RAF flights have delivered a total of 51 tonnes of aid to Egypt. The shipments contained lifesaving items, including water purification equipment.

Royal Navy assets are in the region, and have the ability to support the humanitarian effort when the opportunity arises. We continue to monitor the situation and consider what further assistance Defence could contribute to the UK and international efforts to ease the humanitarian crisis.

The Government recognises the need for new water resources infrastructure, including reservoirs and water transfers, alongside reducing leakage and conserving water to provide a secure supply of water for future generations and to protect our environment.

The National Framework for Water Resources (launched in March 2020) brings together industry, regulators and Government to transform the way we use and look after our water supplies, including the need to reduce demand, halve leakage and develop new supplies.

The water industry is now working in regional groups to deliver the action needed to meet the challenge set out in the Framework to make sure water supplies remain secure. This includes looking at how they will accommodate new buildings and investigating what new infrastructure projects are required, such as desalination.

As part of the current price review round (PR19), Ofwat has allocated a £469 million fund for water companies to expedite and progress the development of new water infrastructure. Additionally, the Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) has been formed to help accelerate the development of new water infrastructure and design future regulatory frameworks to enable this development.

The Government recognises the need for new water resources infrastructure, including reservoirs and water transfers, alongside reducing leakage and conserving water to provide a secure supply of water for future generations and to protect our environment.

The National Framework for Water Resources (launched in March 2020) brings together industry, regulators and Government to transform the way we use and look after our water supplies, including the need to reduce demand, halve leakage and develop new supplies.

The water industry is now working in regional groups to deliver the action needed to meet the challenge set out in the Framework to make sure water supplies remain secure. This includes looking at how they will accommodate new buildings and investigating what new infrastructure projects are required, such as desalination.

As part of the current price review round (PR19), Ofwat has allocated a £469 million fund for water companies to expedite and progress the development of new water infrastructure. Additionally, the Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) has been formed to help accelerate the development of new water infrastructure and design future regulatory frameworks to enable this development.

The only major desalination scheme currently operating in the UK is Thames Water’s plant at Beckton. It is capable of producing up to 150 million litres of water per day and has been operational since 2010. However, it is only used intermittently when Thames Water considers it necessary.