The case for rainwater reuse received a powerful double endorsement during Water Reuse Week with coordinated events taking place in both Westminster and the Senedd.
Members of Senedd and Parliament align with campaigners for water reuse.
In London, members of the UK Rainwater Management Association (UKRWA) convened at the Houses of Parliament for a high-level meeting with Lee Pitcher, MP for Doncaster East, who is spearheading efforts to normalise rainwater harvesting in homes across the country. At the same time, in Cardiff, Andrew RT Davies, MS for South Wales Central, hosted an event for the UKWRA at the Welsh Government. The co-ordinated events underscore that momentum for change is building across devolved and national administrations alike.
At Westminster, Lee Pitcher sounded the alarm on the UK’s fragile water security, stressing that “supplies are far more threatened than people realise” and that urgent reform is needed to ensure resilience. MPs including Charlotte Cane (Ely) and Gideon Amos (Taunton) joined industry representatives to debate how regulation and policy could accelerate adoption of rainwater harvesting systems.
3P Technik UK and Andrew RT Davies (MS)
Meanwhile, in Cardiff, the conversation reflected Wales’s pioneering stance on water management. Wales has already taken a lead in mandating Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) for all new developments since 2019, embedding rainwater management at the heart of planning policy. In contrast, SuDS guidance in England faced delays. The SuDS Standards for England were published on the 19th of June 2025.
At the Senedd, we were fortunate to have in-depth discussions with three prominent members Andrew RT Davies, Carolyn Thomas (Flintshire) and Jenny Rathbone (Cardiff Central). With significant flooding seen in Swansea just days before the event, discussions at the Senedd naturally included rainwater reuse as an essential tool to aid flood resilience.
The parallel gatherings mark a significant moment: a recognition that rainwater harvesting is no longer a niche concern but an essential component of the UK’s climate adaptation strategy.
The momentum behind rainwater reuse is growing,” a UKRWA spokesperson said. “With the support of MPs, Senedd Members, and organisations like UKRWA, we can begin to make the changes necessary for a more resilient and sustainable water future.
By aligning the debates in Westminster and Cardiff, the UKWRA sector is sending a clear message: investment in rainwater harvesting is crucial if the UK is to meet rising water demand, strengthen climate resilience, and reduce pressure on overstretched water networks.