Celebrating World Water Day 2026

The world is facing a water crisis that affects everyone, even in the UK, as highlighted by the annual World Water Day campaign. This year’s theme, Water and Gender, showcases the inequalities that deepen when people lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Access to water poses the biggest societal and economic risk over the next 10 years. with 2.1 billion people today still living without safe access to safe water.

What Does this Mean for RSE?

World Water Day is more than a date on the calendar; it is a reminder of the responsibility we carry as a company and an innovator in the water sector. The challenges highlighted this year mirror many of the priorities we face across our projects and communities.

Although the UK does not face the same extreme water scarcity seen in other regions, we are not immune to water challenges:

• Building resilient water systems that can withstand climate pressures, flooding, and periods of low supply
• Ensuring safe, reliable water and wastewater services for rural and remote areas across Scotland and the wider UK
• Designing solutions that work for everyone, ensuring safe water access and quality
• Championing diversity and inclusion within the water sector

“Where water flows, equality grows”

More than ¼ of all women lack access to safely managed drinking water services.

When women and girls have equal voices in water decision-making, services become more inclusive, sustainable and effective.

This year, we are spotlighting some of the women in leadership roles across RSE who are helping to build more equitable and resilient water infrastructure in the UK and beyond.

What does water mean to you?

Water is both a privilege and a fundamental right. For many of us it’s something we rarely think about because it’s always there when we need it. That’s why it’s so important that we protect it, invest in resilient infrastructure, and recognise its true value as one of the most essential resources for life and communities.

Ewa Burnatowska, BIM Lead

What’s one thing you’d like future women in water to know? 

The water sector benefits from diverse voices; helping to challenge how things are done drives more innovative solutions and having the confidence to ask questions is just as important as technical knowledge when growing as an engineer. It’s an incredibly rewarding sector to be part of, where the work we do creates visible benefits for communities and the environment. The more you put yourself forward, the more you’ll grow alongside the sector.

Sarah Wardlaw, Process Engineer

Supporting Sustainable Development Goal 6: Water and Sanitation for All by 2030

SDG 6 calls for clean water and sanitation for all by 2030. It focuses on improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation, protecting water quality, water as a resource, and safeguarding water environments. This is to ensure that water-related ecosystems and, in turn, services, are sustainable for the long term.

At RSE, our work directly aligns with SDG 6 because we help plan, improve and operate the systems that provide safe drinking water and protect the water environment. Through water treatment and operational support, we help maintain water quality, reduce pollution risks and improve day-to-day reliability for our customers and communities. We also look for practical efficiencies in how assets use energy, chemicals and water, supporting more sustainable services over the long term.