Making water more sustainable

Water is a precious and vital resource that is under threat from climate change and growing demands. The Environment Agency recently warned that England will face water shortages within 25 years if we do not take a more sustainable approach to water use. To help, Durham's researchers are working with government, businesses and communities to ensure society's water use remains sustainable for years to come. The Water Hub, a project of our Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience, is a partnership with Durham County Council, the Environment Agency and Northumbrian Water. Funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the Water Hub is helping businesses and the public sector to find practical solutions to problems facing North East England's water and environment sector. Water sustainability It's hoped that these solutions could have wider impacts on water sustainability nationally and internationally. Water Hub projects include: Transferring skills from digital and data businesses into environmental management to better manage river basins and share information with communities; Helping businesses to put forward ideas to manage water at the site of a new industrial and logistics centre called Follingsby Max, near Gateshead; Installing specially adapted planters to capture rainwater run-off from the roofs of homes in County Durham to reduce flooding risk and encourage plants to grow in urban areas.