Businesses and community organisations across Bristol have come together to explore opportunities to increase our region’s climate resilience, including action to help protect the region’s water supplies as climate change, population growth and increasingly extreme weather put greater pressure on resources.
The call for collective action came at a sold-out climate resilience conference in Bristol this month, where more than 1,300 organisations from across the city were encouraged to work together to prepare for a changing climate.
Hosted by the Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership at We The Curious and sponsored by Bristol Water, the Weathering It Together: Climate Resilience in the West of England gathering brought together experts, businesses and community organisations to explore how the region can become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
Speaking at the event, Bristol Water’s Director of Water Services, Richard Stanbrook, warned that pressure on water resources is already being felt across the region:
“Our region is growing. More people and business means greater demand for water. At the same time, climatic changes are bringing hotter, drier summers and more extreme weather patterns,” Richard said.
“During warm weather, people naturally use more water for washing, gardening, recreation and keeping cool. Resource and supply challenges are here today; they are not future scenarios.”
With the South West experiencing five heatwaves this summer, and hot, dry weather placing additional pressure on water resources, finding and fixing leaks is more important than ever before.
Bristol Water recently achieved its lowest ever leakage levels, reducing water loss by 7.4% over the last year and cutting leakage by 2.7 million litres a day. However, around 30% of leakage is estimated to occur on customer-owned pipework and internal plumbing.
Richard explained: “That's why awareness and individual action matter just as much as investment from water companies.”
Bristol Water is focused on reducing leakage, improving efficiency and helping customers identify waste. The water company has increased the number of repair teams, expanded leak detection activity and invested in digital and satellite technologies to find hidden leaks faster.
Richard went on to say: “Climate resilience is about looking decades ahead even though we are feeling the effects now. We are considering how we can store more water during wetter winters, how we can move water around the network more effectively, and how we can work with neighbouring regions to ensure supplies remain secure during periods of stress.
“The challenges of climate change, population growth and increasing pressure on water resources require all of us to work together.
“Every drop saved, every leak fixed and every informed decision contributes to a more resilient future.”
Lizzi Testani, CEO of the Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership, said: “We were delighted to work with Bristol Water, whose input and support helped make this event possible. Following a summer of extreme heat, and with more extreme weather to come, there is no better time than now for a step change on climate resilience. Water is essential for life - and our water supply and behaviours are all impacted by climate change - only by acting together can we protect our supply and conserve this precious resource. We look forward to sharing more in due course about the opportunities identified to increase climate resilience in the West of England.”