Research and analysis

Appendix B: Planned leakage and per capita consumption reduction against the Environment Act water demand target

Updated 21 March 2024

Applies to England

The government set out how this reduction will be achieved in its Plan for Water in April 2023. The Plan for Water seeks a reduction in leakage at interim points to achieve the 2037-38 new demand target. A comparison of the percentage sought, and the percentage reduction set out in current revised draft plans is set out here. These percentage reductions are all based on a 2017-18 baseline. 

Table 4: Percentage leakage reduction delivery in revised draft WRMPs in England against interim government targets as set out in the government’s Plan for Water

Year Interim leakage percentage reduction target Revised draft plan leakage percentage reduction (nearest whole number)
2024-25 16% 21%
2026-27 20% 26%
2031-32 30% 34%
2037-38 37% 41%

The Plan for Water seeks a reduction in per capita consumption to 122 litres per person per day by 2037-38. Currently, by 2037-38 the revised draft plans expect to reach an England-wide average per capita consumption of 120 litres per person per day. This is a significant increase in ambition compared to draft plans and would meet targets established in the Plan for Water.