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Droughts: Desalination

Asked by Kevin BonaviaLabourDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 7 September 2026UIN 22304

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the role of desalination plants in mitigating the consequences of drought.

Answered by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Climate change, population growth and economic development mean we must act now to secure resilient long-term water supplies, while protecting and improving the environment.

The Government is taking a diverse and coordinated approach, combining demand reduction, environmental protection and new infrastructure, including the potential role that desalination could play in future water supply systems.

Alongside desalination plants, wider plans include new reservoirs, water recycling and water transfer schemes.

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