Water scarcity: A growing risk for packaging and manufacturing

As the UK faces increasing water stress, the packaging and manufacturing sectors – particularly those tied to food and beverage – are confronting a critical challenge: how to maintain operations in the face of dwindling water availability.

A recent survey by water treatment specialists Alpheus revealed that while 94% of food and drink manufacturers consider a reliable water supply essential, over 60% lack a contingency plan. This gap in preparedness is especially concerning given the growing frequency of droughts and water restrictions across the UK.

Why Water Matters to Packaging

Water plays a vital role in packaging operations, from cleaning and cooling machinery to processing raw materials and maintaining hygiene standards. For companies producing or handling food-grade packaging, water is not just a utility; it is a cornerstone of compliance and quality assurance.

Yet, as climate change intensifies, regions across the UK are experiencing prolonged dry spells. The Environment Agency has warned of a potential shortfall of five billion litres per day in England’s public water supply by 2055. In response, several water companies have already begun limiting non-domestic water connections to safeguard household supply.

The Impact on Business Growth

Water scarcity is not just a sustainability issue – it’s a growth inhibitor. The Alpheus survey found that:

• 61% of respondents faced increased development costs due to water supply or wastewater discharge limitations.
• 27% had to significantly alter project plans.
• 22% cancelled expansion projects altogether.

These constraints are delaying innovation and investment, particularly in sectors like packaging, where scaling up often requires increased water usage.

Planning for Resilience

Despite the risks, many businesses remain underprepared. A striking 65% of surveyed manufacturers believe that water infrastructure challenges are poorly understood in national planning and economic policy.

For packaging professionals, this is a call to action. Building water resilience into operations is vital not just for risk mitigation, but also for future-proofing your business.

Practical Solutions for Packaging Operations

There are several strategies packaging companies can adopt to reduce their water footprint and improve operational resilience:

• Closed-Loop Water Systems: These systems treat and reuse water on-site, significantly reducing reliance on external supply. They are especially useful in high-consumption processes like cooling or cleaning.
• Effluent Reuse: Instead of discharging wastewater, companies can treat and repurpose it for non-critical applications, such as equipment washdown or landscaping.
• Smart Water Monitoring: Installing sensors and analytics tools can help identify leaks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for conservation.
• Collaboration with Water Providers: Engaging early with local water companies can help businesses understand supply constraints and explore alternative solutions before expansion plans are finalized.

What’s Ahead

Some UK water companies are already enforcing restrictions. For example:

• Essex and Suffolk Water has paused new non-domestic connections in parts of its network until 2033.
• Cambridge Water is limiting supply requests over 20m³/day until 2032.
• Anglian Water is encouraging businesses to explore alternatives like effluent reuse due to abstraction limits.

These measures highlight the urgency for packaging and manufacturing firms to rethink their water strategies.

A Shared Responsibility

As Chris Deadman, Managing Director at Alpheus, puts it: “We can’t afford to ignore water scarcity. It’s time for businesses to champion strong water stewardship and invest in sustainable infrastructure.”

For packaging professionals, this means integrating water efficiency into every stage of production, from design and materials to processing and cleaning. By doing so, companies not only reduce environmental impact but also gain a competitive edge in a resource-constrained future.