Target: cut the public water supply used per person by 20% by 2037-38, to 193.1 litres a day. Starting from 241.4 in 2019-20, the straight path needs 225.3 by now. Interim target: 219.7 by March 2027.

What it means: all the water that companies put into their pipes, divided by the number of people served. It covers homes, businesses and the water lost to leaks, so fixing leaks counts towards the target as well as using less. Water used at home alone is about 137 litres per person per day.

Source: Environment Agency, water resources 2025 to 2026, table 2; target from the water demand Environment Act target delivery plan.