What to know

• The UK's largest water reuse system, ready at Eddington since 2021, cannot operate due to the Drinking Water Inspectorate's interpretation of the 1991 Water Act, which bars water companies from providing recycled water to homes.
• The blocked system could save 25 litres per person daily—a critical resource as England faces severe water shortages, with Cambridge Water and Anglian Water imposing hosepipe bans this summer.
• Despite government awareness of the regulatory obstacle across current and previous administrations, no law change has occurred, while European countries like Belgium and Germany have operated water reuse systems successfully for over 20 years.
• Experts warn the blockade is hampering large-scale water recycling rollout needed to address projected water scarcity by 2055.

“Rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling are well-proven and sustainable technologies that have been implemented internationally at scale for years. The UK is lagging behind.”

Lutz Johnen, Chair, UK Water Reuse Association · The Guardian

Cambridge Water water company operatorDrinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) regulatory bodyLutz Johnen Chair, UK Water Reuse AssociationUK Government policymaker