Water Night 2025 urges UK households to rethink daily habits in national call to action

Households across the country are being urged to switch off taps for five hours this October in a national campaign to raise awareness of the UK’s growing water crisis.

This year’s Water Night, taking place on Thursday 23 October from 5pm to 10pm, invites families across the UK to pause non-essential water use and reflect on how much they rely on it. The annual event is spearheaded by Waterwise and supported by The Water Conservancy in Australia.

The 2025 theme, From Habit to Hero, aims to turn unconscious water use into deliberate conservation, as campaigners warn the UK is facing a hidden crisis.

Nicci Russell, chief executive of Waterwise, said the event was a powerful reminder of just how reliant modern life is on water.
“Nothing happens without water, and we are running out of it right across the UK,” she said. “Water Night is fast becoming an anchor point in the calendar for encouraging better water habits. It gives us the chance to stop, think, and realise how much we take water for granted.”

Participants are encouraged to turn off taps used for non-urgent activities, such as rinsing dishes, overfilling kettles, or taking long showers, for the five-hour window, in a symbolic gesture towards sustainability.

Russell added that the event taps into people’s emotional connection with water: “It is precious to us, literally vital, and it brings us joy, but that doesn’t always show in our daily behaviour.”

Water Night began in Australia, where it has already achieved a 38% improvement in “water literacy”, according to The Water Conservancy. The organisation’s CEO, Chris Philpot, said the event helps people of all ages recognise the value of water and the simple steps they can take to reduce waste.

“This is a unique and effective campaign that sparks national conversations,” he said. “We are proud to bring that impact to the UK.”

Participants can pledge to switch off non-essential water from 5pm to 10pm and are encouraged to share their efforts on social media using the hashtags #WaterNightUK and #FromHabitToHero. Anyone who signs up will be entered into a prize draw to win a £200 Love2Shop voucher.

Blue lighting displays will also be seen at landmarks across the country to unite communities in a visible demonstration of support.

Waterwise says more needs to be done to teach children about water efficiency. A recent survey found 64% of students said they had never received any water-saving information in school or university.

Teachers can download lesson plans and activities to run on Water Night and send home with pupils to involve families in the initiative.

“By reaching children, we help shape the habits of the next generation,” said a Waterwise spokesperson. “It’s an investment in our future.”