How Companies Secretly Use Billions of Litres of Public Water 2026

How companies secretly use billions of litres of public water in drought-hit England is a growing concern. Less than 1% of businesses in England use more water than the daily needs of 10 million people, as millions of households face hosepipe bans and three-quarters of the country is in drought. Businesses across England use 2.6bn litres a day from the public water supply, which includes potable and non-potable water provided by water companies.

The Scale of Business Water Consumption

Businesses account for about 30% of public supply use, with two-thirds of their consumption in water-stressed areas, according to Mosl, the organisation that operates England’s business water market. This staggering amount highlights the significant role that industries play in the nation’s water footprint, yet their usage often remains hidden from public scrutiny.

The biggest users of the public water supply include oil refineries, chemical plants and paper mills, and some face no requirement to cut their consumption. This lack of regulation is particularly troubling given the current drought conditions, where households are being asked to conserve water while industrial giants continue to consume at high levels.

Data Gaps and Commercial Secrecy

Tracking industrial water use appears difficult. Regulators say they are frustrated by a lack of data and “commercial secrecy”, and the water sector says it is prevented from planning effectively for growth industries. This opacity makes it challenging for policymakers to implement targeted measures to reduce water waste.

Mosl’s map of business water supply points, ranked by volume used, showed the site of ExxonMobil’s Esso refinery at Fawley, Southampton, as the largest user of public water supply. However, the site includes a number of other operators that also use the water, including waste, gas, chemicals and energy companies. Mosl cited the refinery’s water use in written evidence to a House of Lords committee as an example of “the high volume of water wastage in industry that is

Comparison of Water Use: Households vs. Businesses

This table illustrates that while households use a larger share, the business sector’s 30% is still substantial, especially when concentrated in drought-prone areas. The water usage by businesses is not only high but also poorly monitored, leading to inefficiencies.

Key Takeaways

• Businesses in England consume 2.6 billion litres of public water daily, about 30% of total supply.
• Two-thirds of business water use occurs in water-stressed regions, exacerbating drought impacts.
• Data gaps and commercial secrecy hinder effective regulation and planning.
• Major industrial users like oil refineries face no mandatory consumption cuts.
• Transparency and better data are crucial for sustainable water management.

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