Water companies in England and Wales lose far more water through leaks than hosepipe bans can save, an analysis of data has found.
Greenpeace UK said figures from Ofwat show water firms are currently losing about 2.87bnl a day through leakage, roughly one fifth of all water put into the supply network.
That volume is equivalent to around 1,150 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
By comparison, the climate campaign group estimates a nationwide hosepipe ban would save about 577Ml a day, or roughly 4% of distributed water.
The findings come as much of England has experienced dry spells during recent few summers, leading to numerous water companies imposing hosepipe bans.
The Environment Agency and hydrological records show drier-than-average soils and falling river flows across almost all monitoring sites.
Added to this, reservoir storage is below the long-term average for this time of year, the group said.
Greenpeace said the disparity between leakage and the savings from behavioural restrictions highlights long‑standing problems in the water sector.
Greenpeace UK chief scientist Doug Parr said: “Of course people should use water carefully during prolonged hot and dry weather.
“But it’s galling to be told to put away the hose while water companies are losing nearly three billion litres every day through leaks.
“Fossil-fuelled climate change is making severe droughts more frequent and more dangerous, so ministers must not treat water security as tomorrow’s problem.”
He added: “The incoming Burnham government must force water companies to repair and renew the network and tackle the fossil-fuel pollution driving extreme heat and drought. Without this, people and nature will ultimately pay the price, not the company shareholders and execs.”
The National Audit Office (NAO) has previously calculated that, at the then-current rate of replacement, it would take centuries to renew the entire pipe network.
No major reservoirs serving England and Wales have been built in the past 30 years, though several schemes are under consideration or development.
At the same time, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has warned that climate change is likely to make droughts more frequent and severe, and that England could face a potential supply shortfall of more than 5bnl a day by the mid-2050s if action is not taken.
Water companies have previously said they have reduced leakage in recent years and continue to invest in repair and replacement programmes but campaigners contend progress is too slow.
Greenpeace UK is now calling on the government to take stronger regulatory action and to use upcoming legislation, including a Water Bill, to set out long‑term plans to “climate-proof” the sector.
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Facts Only
* Water firms are currently losing about 2.87 billion liters a day through leakage.
* Leakage accounts for roughly one-fifth of all water in the supply network.
* This volume equals approximately 1,150 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
* A nationwide hosepipe ban would save about 577 million liters per day, or roughly 4% of distributed water.
* England has experienced dry spells during recent summers.
* The Environment Agency and hydrological records show drier-than-average soils and falling river flows across monitoring sites.
* Reservoir storage is below the long-term average for this time of year.
* The National Audit Office calculated that pipe network renewal would take centuries at the then-current rate.
* Climate change is projected to increase drought frequency and severity, with potential supply shortfalls exceeding 5 billion liters per day by the mid-2050s without action.