By Clare Galland, Environmental & Regulatory Affairs Manager, Everflow

The increasing unpredictability of weather patterns has caused chaos in the lives of farmers across the United Kingdom. In June, temperatures soared to 32.2℃, with a heatwave declared in many places. Much to the chagrin of UK holidaymakers, this was then followed by many parts of England experiencing the wettest July on record, only a year after the country faced some of the hottest days recorded.

Traditional ideas of seasonal predictability and historical weather patterns which generations of farmers have come to rely on, are being upended in real-time by climate change. This makes critical decisions around planting, irrigation, and crop management even more challenging for those in the farming industry.

In this environment of heightened uncertainty, farmers will have to seek innovative strategies to build the resilience needed to navigate the turbulence that climate change brings. Given the fact that a source of high-quality, affordable water is the lifeblood of the rural economy, enhancing water efficiency and mitigating the risks of drought is an important place to start.

Support from policymakers

Before diving into the water efficiency measures which UK farmers might consider implementing, it is worth noting the need for a comprehensive national strategy to help support farmers in cutting down on water wastage. Globally, research from Schroders indicates that almost half of the freshwater used in agriculture is currently being wasted.

A long-term government strategy with set targets around eliminating waste would help provide the farming industry with the reassurance needed to invest in new technology and update outdated irrigation and drainage systems. The potential gains in water efficiency from new tech are exciting — such as soil moisture sensors, which can be used to check exactly how much water is needed for crops.

Furthermore, the national deployment of smart water meters on farms would help farmers to measure their water consumption levels and ensure saving opportunities, or leaks are quickly identified. Additionally, access to accurate water usage data would be critical in wider government planning and help to track the success of water efficiency initiatives.

Improving the drought resilience of the farming sector is a question of national food security. For the UK to be more self-sufficient in its food production, farmers, the government, and the water industry need to work collaboratively to prioritise improving water efficiency, creating savings for farmers and protecting the agriculture sector from climate change.

The value of investing in technology now

In the absence of a clear government strategy and focused funding initiatives, there remain several water efficiency measures and technologies which can create water and financial savings for farmers. The cost-saving and wider environmental benefits of such steps make them a worthy investment to help boost both financial and climate resilience.

Drip irrigation systems, for instance, use a low-pressure system to distribute a steady drip of water through tiny pipes across farmlands directly to the root. This method reduces evaporation compared to standard spray systems and can be scheduled for cooler weather to minimise further losses (up to 80% less than traditional irrigation systems) while also improving root development, benefitting crop yields.

In addition to improved irrigation systems, implementing new measures for capturing and storing water is another crucial step to consider. While many fear these processes as costly, the truth is that water recycling systems can be as simple as fitting water butts to drainpipes to ensure rainwater is diverted and collected for activities like watering plants or washing vehicles. 

This ensures that the amount of water coming from a farm's main supply is reduced, simultaneously conserving water and reducing bills. For those with large roof spaces, Everflow has provided non-household groups with rainwater harvesting systems that can be shared amongst businesses near each other to deliver actual savings in their water bills and ensure greater resilience to adverse weather hits.  

Getting the most from your water provider

The water utility bill is so often an overlooked business cost because, until recently, the power of choice was mainly out of the hands of businesses through regulations mandating the exclusive use of local water suppliers. The deregulation of the industry in 2017 opened the floodgates, creating the world’s largest competitive water and wastewater retail market. This empowered businesses to switch providers and /or renegotiate their contracts via water utility brokers when they were dissatisfied with the services provided, injecting much-needed competition among retailers.

Unlike many other industries which overlook the water utility bill, the farming sector is one which appreciates that water is a vital but limited resource. For many farmers with high water consumption rates, securing savings on water bills in the current economic climate is not inconsequential.

That is why it is important that farmers take the time to consider their water utility supplier and take advantage of the deregulated water retail market; speak with a water utility broker and ensure you are with a provider equally committed to investing in new technology and helping you cut down on water usage.

Ultimately, the benefits of an open water market – including innovation, improvement to services and lower prices – require intense competition driven by engagement in the market from key customer groups such as farmers.  Without customers, the competitive incentive will quickly dry up along with the desired benefits.