FWR Community
September 2025

Trading water across regions: Challenges, opportunities and its role in supporting resilience

Stone bridge going over a dried up riverbed

Climate change is predicted to drive changes in the distribution of water across the UK, and combined with our increased usage of water, is projected to lead to increased water scarcity in England by the end of the century. This will have repercussions on the supply and demand of water across the country and will require careful management to prevent negative impacts on people and the environment. 

Water trading allows for water companies to source water from other water companies operating in different regions as well as third-party suppliers. It can support improved resilience of water supply and provide environmental benefits by reducing unsustainable abstraction in areas of water scarcity. 

In this panel event we hear from a number of water professionals working across sectors for their views on water trading, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and how it can best be managed. 

Header image: © Bernd Brueggemannn | Adobe Stock