Environmental horticulture uses just 0.15% of UK water, but faces severe risk from restrictions, according to new research - Horticultural Trades Association
Environmental horticulture businesses are facing disproportionate risk from water restrictions that could threaten their survival and undermine a sector delivering climate adaptation, biodiversity and greener communities, according to new research published today by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA).
The environmental horticulture sector uses just 0.15% of the UK’s total water consumption. Yet, the findings from the HTA’s 2025 Water Consumption & Resilience Survey highlight what the Association describes as a “low-consumption, high-risk” paradox for a sector that contributes £38 billion to the UK economy.
HTA analysis estimates that UK garden centre retailers and professional growers use approximately 19.4 million cubic metres of water annually - around 0.15% of total UK consumption, and significantly less than the 1–2% attributed to the wider agriculture sector. Despite this relatively small national footprint, 88% of surveyed businesses said that restrictions on mains or abstracted water would have a serious negative impact or directly threaten the survival of their business.
The research also exposes a preparedness gap. Only 30% of growers, and none of the garden centres that responded, have a contingency plan in place should their water supply be restricted. At an aggregate level, growers can store just 28% of their annual water needs, while garden centres can store around 38%, leaving many businesses exposed during prolonged dry periods.
The publication is part of the HTA’s ongoing water resilience work, which includes being a leading voice in key for a and a recent high-level Westminster roundtable on 19 January, hosted by Robbie Moore MP, Shadow Environment Minister, at which HTA members and policymakers discussed how to secure long-term water resilience for the sector and remove barriers to investment in on-site storage and infrastructure.