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

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Ofwat and water companies about encouraging or incentivising domestic and business customers to install rainwater harvesting systems.

The Government recognises that rainwater harvesting and other forms of water reuse can play a key role in helping non-households and businesses meet the statutory water demand reduction target of 9% by March 2038. We are therefore supporting water companies and developers to deliver water efficiency through both rainwater harvesting and other forms of water reuse.

We supported Ofwat on their consultation to provide environmental incentives to developers which included considering where new technologies and water efficient practices could be integrated into buildings and developments. Ofwat reported that water reuse solutions are likely to be an important tool for improving water efficiency in the medium term.

We are also looking into allowing water companies to supply treated, non-potable water, including rainwater, for certain water demands such as toilet flushing.