Water Voice Barometer & Spotlight report – July 2026

Our monthly Barometer & Spotlight reports capture the views of our Water Voice communities on their water companies, the services they receive and the challenges facing the water sector.

The findings highlight the issues that matter most to community members, helping to inform discussions with their water companies at Accountability Sessions.

Spotlight survey

The Spotlight survey explores a specific issue or theme affecting the water sector, with a different topic each month.

July 2026’s Spotlight survey focused on extreme heat and drought.

The findings on extreme heat were brought forward and published in a separate report in July 2026, to capture community members’ views during the heatwave in late June 2026.

Key findings:

• 3 in 10 community members (30%) say they are worried about water shortages in their area due to drought over the next five years, rising to 4 in 10 (40%) when looking over the next 15 years.
• Less than half (45%) trust their water company to ensure supplies aren’t impacted during periods of very hot weather, while 28% say they do not trust their provider to do so.
• Most (85%) agree it is reasonable to ask people to make small voluntary changes to their water use during extreme heat. However, the same proportion (85%) say water companies should first demonstrate what they and other large water users are doing to reduce water usage before asking households to change their behaviour.
• Community members are more likely to take action when local water risks are explained clearly (88%), and when water companies (87%) and large businesses and high-use households (86%) are seen to be doing their part.

Barometer survey

The Barometer survey tracks community members’ attitudes towards their water company and the services they receive over time.

Overview:

• Community members’ satisfaction with water and sewerage services remains primarily driven by their water company delivering the basics well, including safe water, consistent supply, good pressure and limited disruption.
• The biggest area of concern is environmental performance, with sewage pollution, spills and negative media coverage fuelling frustration and concerns among community members that water companies are neglecting their environmental responsibilities.