Data Drought: Why We Still Don’t Know Enough About Our Water

We live in an age of unprecedented information, where data drives everything from shopping habits to space exploration. Yet when it comes to one of the most vital resources on the planet, we are still in the dark. Across the UK and around the world, gaps in monitoring, reporting and understanding mean that we simply do not know enough about the state of our water. This "data drought" is more than a technical inconvenience. It affects how we respond to pollution, prepare for climate impacts and ensure fair access to safe water for all.

What Do We Mean by a Data Drought?

A data drought refers to the lack of consistent, reliable and up-to-date information on the quality, quantity and use of water resources. While rivers, lakes and aquifers are constantly monitored in some areas, vast stretches remain unmeasured. Even where data exists, it is often patchy, out of date or locked away in inaccessible formats. In many cases, local communities have little to no access to information about the water they depend on every day.

The problem is not new. In 2019, the UK’s Environment Agency warned that only 14 per cent of rivers in England met good ecological status. Yet campaigners argue that the true situation may be even worse, as many stretches of water are rarely tested for pollutants such as pharmaceuticals or microplastics. Globally, UN Water reports that less than half of countries have the capacity to produce high-quality data on water resources. The result is a global picture riddled with blind spots.

Why Data Gaps Matter

Without robust water data, governments and communities are effectively navigating blindfolded. In the UK, this has been starkly illustrated by the controversy over sewage discharges. Water companies are required to report on overflows, but campaigners argue that monitoring is far from comprehensive. Where sensors are missing or fail to transmit, discharges go unrecorded, leaving communities unaware of risks to their rivers and health.

Internationally, the stakes are even higher. In many developing countries, the absence of reliable data on groundwater reserves makes it difficult to plan for drought or ensure safe drinking supplies. Climate change is altering rainfall patterns, but without accurate data, it is impossible to know which areas are most vulnerable or how best to adapt. Poor data also hampers efforts to track progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

For businesses and agriculture, data scarcity translates into economic uncertainty. Farmers cannot manage irrigation efficiently without reliable water information. Industries that rely on clean water, from brewing to pharmaceuticals, face risks to production if pollution or shortages are poorly understood.

Signs of Progress

The outlook is not entirely bleak. Advances in technology and grassroots initiatives are helping to close the information gap. Remote sensing from satellites is now being used to monitor river flows, soil moisture and even underground aquifers. These tools provide valuable insights at regional and global scales, although they still need to be complemented by local ground data.

Citizen science has also become a powerful force. Community groups across the UK are testing river water for pollutants and feeding results into open databases. These efforts not only improve the data picture but also raise public awareness and pressure policymakers to act. One example is the Riverfly Partnership, where volunteers monitor insect populations as indicators of river health.

On the global stage, initiatives such as the UN’s Integrated Monitoring of Water and Sanitation (GEMI) are working to standardise data collection and reporting. Private innovation is also playing a role, with low-cost sensors and mobile apps enabling communities to track water quality in real time.

Closing the Gap

To turn these promising developments into lasting change, several steps are needed. First, investment in water monitoring must increase. This includes funding for modern equipment, laboratories and staff to ensure data is collected consistently and accurately. Second, transparency must improve. Data held by agencies or private companies should be made accessible to the public in clear, understandable formats. Without transparency, trust will remain low and accountability limited.

Third, collaboration is essential. Universities, governments, industry and community groups each hold pieces of the puzzle. By sharing information and aligning efforts, they can create a more complete and useful picture. Finally, innovation should be embraced. From artificial intelligence that predicts pollution hotspots to portable kits that allow schoolchildren to measure water quality, technology can make data collection more affordable and inclusive.

From Scarcity to Shared Knowledge

A water data drought may not make headlines in the same way as a physical drought, but its consequences are just as serious. Without reliable knowledge, we cannot safeguard rivers, protect ecosystems or prepare for the challenges of a changing climate. Yet the good news is that this is a problem we can solve. The tools exist, the interest is growing and the benefits of action are immense.

By investing in monitoring, embracing transparency and empowering communities, we can turn a fragmented and incomplete picture into one that truly reflects the state of our water. Knowledge is power, but when it comes to water, it is also protection. Closing the data drought will not only help us to manage our resources more effectively but will also build trust, resilience and respect for the most essential resource on Earth.