The UK’s water industry is facing a perfect storm. Climate change is making droughts and floods more frequent and severe, while a growing population is putting more strain on an ageing water infrastructure. With water supply forecasted to drop by 7% by 2045 and major droughts expected every 7–14 years, the industry can’t afford to stand still. While big investments in infrastructure and technology are important, water companies can make a significant impact right now by improving operational efficiency.
The Productivity Problem
Many UK water companies are still operating with outdated processes, inefficient workflows, and legacy systems that slow down operations. With only 0.6% of water mains and 0.2% of sewers replaced each year, teams are stuck playing catch-up instead of having the capacity to tackling issues before they escalate. At the same time, increasing regulatory pressure and customer expectations demand faster response times and better service.
But there’s good news: improving workforce productivity doesn’t require massive investment in technology or wholesale business change. Small but strategic operational improvements can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and create the operational capacity needed to meet demand.
Three Ways to Boost Workforce Productivity
- Smarter Scheduling and Resource Allocation
Many water companies still rely on outdated scheduling practices, leading to losses in productivity and an underutilisation of key resources. Improvements to forecasting and scheduling process can drive significant improvements in field workforce deployment, ensuring the right people are in the right place at the right time. Similarly, improvements to intra-day workforce management can help teams respond to leaks, repairs, and maintenance needs faster and more cost efficiently.
- Leveraging Operational Data
Effective decision-making starts with having the right measures based on high-quality data. Water companies need reliable, consistent data on operational performance, asset condition, and service demand in order to prioritise work effectively. Poor data quality or reliance on incomplete information can lead to misallocated resources, unnecessary costs, and missed opportunities for preventative maintenance. By standardising data collection, ensuring accuracy, and focusing on the right performance indicators, companies can make better choices about where they invest time and resources.
- Empowering the Workforce
A more skilled and engaged workforce leads to better outcomes. Investing in upskilling frontline engineers, managers and those in support functions can deliver a significant boost to both organisational morale and productivity. When workers have the tools and training they need, they can respond to challenges more effectively, reducing service disruptions and customer complaints.
Why This Matters
While long-term infrastructure investment is critical, operational improvements offer a faster, cost-effective way to make a real difference. Increasing workforce productivity means fewer service failures, quicker repairs, and more efficient water management—helping the industry stay ahead of growing climate and population pressures.
Water companies that embrace these changes now will not only improve their bottom line but also provide more reliable services to the millions of people who depend on them every day. The future of the UK’s water sector depends on it!
