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Muddied Waters: Why we need a people-centred approach to evaluating evidence for water demand

Press/Media: Blogs and social media

Period23 Feb 2026

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitleMuddied Waters: Why we need a people-centred approach to evaluating evidence for water demand
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date23/02/26
    DescriptionMuddied Waters: Why we need a people-centred approach to evaluating evidence for water demand

    Published by the ESRC Centre for Joined-Up Sustainability Transformations, this blog presents a critical commentary on evaluation measures used to assess the impact of demand reduction activities by the water sector in England and Wales. 

    Demand reduction is urgently called for, to tackle a deficit of 5 billion litres a day by 2050 (a third of current supply). Current technical and behavioural measures do little to tackle the social and systemic drivers of demand. This article explores the alternatives. 

    These reflections stem from an invited talk at the 'Evaluation of Water Efficiency Group' at its inaugural meeting on the day of the UK government’s Water White Paper, which sets out once-in-a-generation reform plans to deliver safe and secure water supplies, and enhance social and environmental outcomes. 
    URLhttps://www.just.ac.uk/news/2026/02/muddied-waters-why-we-need-a-people-centred-approach-to-evaluating-evidence-for-water-demand/
    PersonsClaire Hoolohan