Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of water efficiency technologies on (a) tackling water scarcity and (b) increasing capacity for new build homes.

We are working with Ofwat to ensure the sector can develop innovative technology for water efficiency through their Innovation fund. We wrote, this year, to all water companies encouraging a rapid increase of smart meter installations for household and non-household customers. The 2023 Plan for Water details our roadmap for water efficiency in new development and retrofits, including our commitment to develop guidance for development design to minimise the pressure they place on the water system, especially in water stressed areas. We are looking at a number of ways to improve water efficiency in homes, including reviewing standards in the building regulations for showers, taps, and toilets. We are also delivering a mandatory water efficiency label for water using products by 2025.