Everflow in the news: why we need to rethink water risks for businesses now
14th April 2026
Everflow CEO, Craig Dallison, was asked to write an article for LBC recently, explaining why the UK’s water supply was at risk – despite winter rainfall that was 40% above average. Here’s a summary of what he had to say.
Despite heavy rainfall in recent months, the UK is still moving towards a drought this summer. In several regions, reservoir levels remain below normal, and the Environment Agency has already raised the alarm about a high drought risk in 2026.
The main message for UK businesses is very clear: water is no longer a utility that can be taken for granted. Similar to energy volatility, water shortage represents a major risk to operations, especially for businesses in the South East, East and parts of Midlands, where water deprivation is at its highest.
Understanding water risk for businesses and the steps they can take
Back in 2025, the Environment Agency urged businesses to look at water efficiency as a priority, as the rate at which water is being used in the UK far exceeds the speed at which it is being drawn from reservoirs. In 2026, we must not forget to take actionable steps in water efficiency, as businesses that do, have a better chance of controlling costs and mitigating disruption.
The reality is that water droughts are, and will continue to be, pushing many businesses to become more proactive when it comes to water efficiency. Taking small steps, such as assessing water consumption, pointing out wastage, and even changing supplier contracts, can have a very big impact. These steps also help businesses prepare for potential water supply problems and, the good news is, they don’t require a significant financial commitment.
What does the water infrastructure look like in 2026?
While conversations around water resilience are increasing, the fact is that large-scale infrastructure projects take a long time before they become operational. For example, a new reservoir near Abingdon in Oxfordshire, which is expected to be able to supply 15 million people in the South of England, is not scheduled to be constructed before 2029, and it may take a decade to be completed.
This clearly shows a major problem: nationwide water resilience doesn’t improve overnight. It takes extensive planning, environmental impact studies, community engagement, and major financial investment before reservoir construction can begin.
Aside from the fact that these projects secure a future source of water supply, they are a reminder of the necessity of taking action now. Considering that the climate is changing and the demand is likely to increase over the coming years, we all have a duty to support water conservation efforts.
For businesses this begins with being proactive with water efficiency – taking steps to reduce consumption and implement measures to mitigate risk now, rather than waiting to be caught out later.
Contact Everflow today!
At Everflow, our goal is to make your utilities simpler – we ensure you get great-value contracts that are tailored to your needs and easy to manage. Get a bespoke quote using the link below.
