Water supply and sanitation in the United Kingdom
| Data | |
|---|---|
| Access to an improved water source | 100% (2015) |
| Access to improved sanitation | 99% (2015) |
| Share of collected wastewater treated | 100% |
| Continuity of supply | 100% |
| Average urban water use (L/person/day) | 150 |
| Share of household metering | 33% (2008) |
| Non-revenue water | 20% (2010–2011) |
| Institutions | |
| Decentralization to municipalities | None |
| National water and sanitation company | None |
| Water and sanitation regulator | Three regulators, one each for England/Wales |
| Sector law | Water Industry Act 1991 (England & Wales) Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 (Scotland) Water and Sewage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (Northern Ireland) |
| Service providers | 28 |
Public water supply and sanitation in the United Kingdom are characterized by universal access and generally good service quality. Unlike many other developed countries, the United Kingdom features diverse institutional arrangements across its constituent parts: (England and Wales; Scotland; and Northern Ireland). In England and Wales, water services are primarily provided by privatized companies, while in Scotland and Northern Ireland, these services are managed by publicly owned entities. Each region's unique approach is explored in separate articles, while this article is devoted to some common issues across the United Kingdom.