Water security is a crucial topic in general at the moment in the UK. There are fears we’ll be short by over 5 billion litres per day in the 2050s. There’s a lot to think about here, including if the water infrastructure itself is sufficient. Let’s have a closer look, then you can rely on us if you need ERW tube.
Restrictions
So far summer 2026 has been really challenging for the UK. It’s been incredibly hot and very dry in many locations because of recurring heatwaves. We’ve had record hottest days and the driest July ever recorded. As a result, there are droughts and water use restrictions in numerous areas. This includes hose pipe bans. At the same time, people are being warned to think about their water usage, such as shorter showers, turning off the tap when brushing teeth, and not washing cars.
Alarmingly, some areas are actually facing the prospect of running out of water completely if we don’t have rain to top up rivers and reservoirs. This means further restrictions could be introduced if necessary.
Infrastructure
There is also a lot of attention on the water infrastructure itself. One of the biggest issues is the pipes in many parts of the UK are past their service life. They need updating to tackle leaks. ERW tube can be excellent here. However, the rate of replacement is falling short of where it needs to be. In fact, the National Audit Office said in 2025 it would take 700 years to update the water grid in the UK at the pace they were going.
Greenpeace did an analysis of the official Ofwat data to dive deeper into this key issue. Notably, the figures show water companies are wasting an incredible 2.87 billion litres of water every day because of leaks. Critics say companies have not invested sufficiently in improving critical infrastructure since the industry was privatised in the 80s.
Greenpeace said while people should definitely be careful with their water use, especially during hot summers, water companies need to do more too. In fact, Dr Doug Parr said the government should be ensuring they “repair and renew the network”. Crucially, he told Ministers they “must not treat water security as tomorrow’s problem”.
Using quality tubing
A key thing here is water companies should use quality tubing and pipes to create resilient networks. ERW tube can be a great choice. It offers some significant benefits, including dimensional uniformity and quality welds. This can actually reduce the risk of leaks due to issues like weak and thin spots.
There is also an interesting option that is growing in popularity; trenchless solutions like CIPP and SIPP. They can upgrade existing infrastructure by installing new linings. It is a growing market in various countries because it means there is no need to excavate and remove old tubes or pipes.
Do you want to order ERW tube?
Whether you’re thinking about water infrastructure or other applications, you can rely on Union Steel Tubes. We are one of the best tube suppliers in the UK. Our range of options is fantastic, including different shapes and sizes. Additionally, we’re expert steel cutters, meaning you can rely on us to cut the tubing to any lengths.
So, contact us today if you have any questions or want to order tubes.
