How the UK is moving toward a circular water economy in 2026

By the time 2050 rolls around, it is estimated that we will need approximately 5 billion litres of water a day to support the UK’s growing population, food production, the economy and the environment. Naturally, this puts a huge strain on the ever-increasing water demand, the ageing infrastructure that desperately needs repair and the climate.

Collectively as a society we can no longer afford to take water for granted. This calls for a shift in mindset from a linear “use and dispose” approach, to a circular, more sustainable approach to water – which is all about ”recover, retain and reuse”.

While the UK is already beginning to treat wastewater as a resource, there’s much further we can go in preventing our supply from simply going to waste.

Technologies driving a circular water economy in the UK

Rainwater harvesting

We often talk about rainwater harvesting, which is rainwater collected from roofs and other above ground surfaces for use in toilets, irrigation and laundry. Not only does it help in tackling water scarcity but it can also reduce organisations’ water bills by as much as 50% in some instances.

 While exact figures on how many businesses in the UK are using rainwater harvesting are not available,  there are many great examples of this technology being deployed well – with Bloomberg’s London headquarters serving as a prime example of this. This premises has implemented extensive rainwater capture and reuse, reducing its reliance on mains water by a staggering 25 million litres per year. 

When paired with other sustainability measures, the building achieved a remarkable 73% reduction in water consumption, paving the way for more commercial buildings to follow suit.

Greywater recycling

While rainwater harvesting collects run-off water, greywater recycling collects water from baths, showers and hard-wash basins to be used for toilet flushing, irrigation and, in some cases, laundry. In the UK, it’s a valuable way to reuse wastewater mostly in commercial settings such as office buildings, schools, restaurants, hospitals, hotels and shopping centres.

Membrane Bioreactors

Membrane bioreactors are a driving technology for creating a circular water economy as they clean wastewater by using bacteria to break down waste and then filtering water through fine membranes that remove tiny particles and pollutants.

This produces much cleaner water than traditional treatment methods, making it suitable for uses like irrigation or industrial processes. However, it’s worth noting that MBRs can be expensive to run and use a lot of energy, which can limit how widely they are used. Nevertheless, the UK market is expected to grow by 7.3% from 2025 to 2030.

Lower business water prices

At a time when water scarcity is a growing concern, how the UK manages wastewater reuse will be vital in creating a more flexible and resilient water supply system in the future. Technologies, which are growing in popularity, such as rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling and modern treatment systems are promising when it comes to creating a more water-mindful future. However a shift in mindset on a larger scale will be necessary to tackle current environmental concerns.

For businesses the new technologies in wastewater reuse provide an opportunity to lower the amount of water they use, cut costs and operate more sustainably. At Everflow, we encourage organisations to compare business water prices as this is one way to cut water costs as well as choose a future-forward supplier that can help you work towards your sustainability targets.