Britain at risk of sleepwalking through the world's next great resource crisis, says new research from GARDENA

LONDON, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Signs of growing pressure on the world's water resources are becoming harder to ignore.

Climate change-driven droughts and floods, alongside conflict, population growth and rising industrial demand, are placing increasing pressure on water supplies around the world.

The UK is not immune to this. Record summer heatwaves triggered drought conditions across the country. While recent rainfall has broken dry spells in several regions, the Environment Agency (EA) warns that above-average rainfall is needed consistently over seven months to fully replenish water reserves.

The topic of water access in the UK has never been more important. Yet most Brits rarely think about it.

New research commissioned by GARDENA UK, in support of UNICEF's Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes – which help provide access to safe water, sanitation facilities and hygiene education to vulnerable communities in over 100 countries - revealed 94% of Brits were unable to estimate their daily water consumption, and just one in five considered water a precious resource.

For one in four people (2.1 billion) globally, lack access to safe drinking water. This can involve walking long distances and carrying heavy containers home every day - a burden that is disproportionately carried by women and girls worldwide. UNICEF estimates they spend around 200 million hours every day collecting water.

Whilst Britain is not facing the same challenges as some of the world's most water-stressed regions, experts have warned that we can expect increasing pressure on domestic water supplies in the decades ahead.

Optimistically, almost 73% of Brits would be willing to reduce their water consumption if they knew how - showing that the issue isn't willingness to adapt; it's awareness.

Maha Elkharbotly, President of GARDENA, said: "Water is one of our most precious resources, yet too few of us consider how much we use, and where it comes from. However, it's encouraging that so many are willing to take steps in the right direction.

"Small changes made by millions can have a meaningful impact. By becoming more conscious of how we use water today, we can help ensure this vital resource is available for future generations."

Three easy ways for Brits to use less water from Let's Fix Water

1. Shorten your shower
2. Fix dripping taps and leaking toilets quickly
3. Swap the hose for stored water

Evariste Kouassi Komlan, Director of WASH, UNICEF, said: "The world is confronting multiple, overlapping crises - climate shocks, rapid urbanisation, conflict, economic strain, and widening inequalities. Each of these crises exposes the same vulnerability: communities without resilient WASH systems are hit the hardest and recover last.

"WASH is foundational. It underpins health, education, dignity, climate resilience, and equity. When these systems fail, children's futures narrow. When they succeed, possibility expands. This is true across the globe."

Learn more about UNICEF's critical work here.

Find out more about making water go further in your garden here.

DISCLAIMER: UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.