Choose A Language
Water Literacy

Water Literacy

Challenge: Breakthrough 3: Catalyst
Water cycle: Customers
Funding amount: £864,484
Lead water company: Northumbrian Water
Partner water companies: Dŵr Cymru (Welsh Water) Northumbrian Water Portsmouth Water South East Water Southern Water Yorkshire Water
Delivery stage: In progress
Est. completion date: Dec 2025

Water Literacy

Amount awarded: £868,484

Led by: Northumbrian Water

Partners: Groundwork East, Waterwise Project, Northumbrian Water, DWR CYMRU CYFYNGEDIG, Portsmouth Water Ltd, South East Water Limited, Southern Water Services Ltd, Yorkshire Water, University of Denver, Consumer Council for Water, Consumer Scotland, The Environment Agency, Essex County Council, Kent County Council, Virtual College Limited, Water Research Centre Ltd

Water is significantly undervalued and arguably should be considered as valuable as oil or carbon. This limited public understanding of the systems involved in bringing water from source to use can result in inefficient use and pressures on water supplies. We quickly need to raise the awareness of the value of water and connect society’s water use to the environment and its role in reducing the impacts of climate change. The Water Literacy Programme is an accredited learning experience delivered across all aspects of the community. It provides citizens with greater awareness and understanding of the systems involved and techniques to empower positive behaviour changes at home, in the workplace or in their community as well as signposting to further learning around water and climate change.

The Water Literacy Programme is making great progress. The programme is on track in relation to the project plan with delivery of the regional pilot planned for August 2024. The Creative agency is currently underway with pulling all the detail together and the pilot will be commencing in the next quarter. We have now signed off the Water Literacy brand concept which has brought the programme to life with the tone, narrative, look and feel.

“This is an incredibly important project that will make a huge difference to customers and we are proud to have been granted funding. Our aim is to protect our precious water resources and our environment for generations to come, and Water Literacy education is a fantastic way to do this.” – Tom Andrewartha, Customer Strategy & Campaign Delivery Manager, Northumbrian Water

Resources:

For more information on Water Literacy, take a look at the following resources: