Where water comes from
The amount of water taken each day to produce your water
Water companies take millions of litres a day but must be careful to balance society’s needs while ensuring there is enough for the environment.
2,472
Million litres each day
Equivalent to
- 29
- average sized baths
Source: Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales; England and Wales, Jan 2015 - Dec 2015
It is not only water companies that take water from the environment
- 50,894
- Million litres per day
- 15,315 million litres for water companies to produce drinking water
- 429 million litres for agriculture
- 5,067 million litres for industrial processes
- 30,083 million litres for other uses including production of electricity
Your water comes from many sources
Water is found from different places before being collected, treated, and then pumped through many kilometres of pipes to your home.
348
Lakes, reservoirs and rivers
2,025
Underground sources
Source: Drinking Water Inspectorate; England and Wales, Jan 2022 - Dec 2022
Want to know more about the treatment of water?
Please click here to see the water treatment cycle