Water is one of the most essential resources on any equestrian yard, but increasingly unpredictable weather, prolonged dry spells and pressure on UK water supplies are making access to it a growing concern. From rainwater harvesting and boreholes to reusing water around the yard, owners are already looking at ways to reduce consumption. But what happens if the rain doesn’t come and the alternative sources begin to run dry too?
Water conservation was recently the subject of discussion on the LiveryList Yard Owner Facebook group, where many owners shared measures they are already taking to reduce usage, reuse water and make their yards more resilient. The ideas ranged from collecting rainwater in storage tanks and IBCs to installing boreholes and using pumps to access nearby water sources.
It is encouraging to see yards thinking ahead, but saving water is only part of the challenge. Any alternative supply must be safe for its intended use, and long-term planning needs to consider what happens during an extended period without significant rainfall.
Why Is Water Becoming A Bigger Concern In The UK?
The UK is not immune to drought. In 2026, England experienced exceptionally dry conditions, following a record-warm spring and a particularly dry summer. By August, the Environment Agency reported that 71.3% of England was in drought status. Water resources came under pressure across the country, with low river flows, falling groundwater levels and reduced reservoir storage.
Although rainfall later provided some relief, the Environment Agency’s latest available drought report, updated on 6 November, still identified ten areas of England in drought. Reservoir storage was reported at 56.9% nationally, with many rivers and groundwater sources remaining below normal for the time of year. Temporary use bans also remained in place across large parts of England.
The situation varies considerably by region, and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own water-resource monitoring and regulatory arrangements. However, the wider concern is relevant to yards across the UK: a few weeks of rain do not necessarily replenish depleted groundwater, reservoirs and aquifers.
For equestrian businesses that rely on private water supplies, boreholes, wells or streams, a prolonged dry period can create a very real operational and welfare challenge.
How Much Water Does A Yard Actually Need?
It is easy to underestimate just how much water a yard consumes, particularly when horses are turned out and there are no obvious taps running.
A typical 500kg horse may drink around 20–35 litres of water per day, but this can increase considerably in hot weather, during exercise or when fed a dry forage-based diet. The British Horse Society estimates that a horse may need as much as 50–70 litres daily in hot conditions.
That is potentially 700 litres or more a day for a yard of just 20 horses, before accounting for:
- Washing horses and equipment.
- Soaking hay and preparing feeds.
- Cleaning stables, buckets and water troughs.
- Wash bays and grooming areas.
- Staff facilities and toilets.
- General yard maintenance.
Understanding how much water is being used, and where it is going, is a sensible starting point for identifying potential savings.
What Are Yards Already Doing To Reduce Water Usage?
The recent LiveryList discussion highlighted a number of practical measures that yard owners are already considering or implementing.
Rainwater harvesting
Collecting rainwater from stable roofs, barns and other buildings is one of the most accessible options. Gutters can feed into large storage tanks or IBC containers, allowing water to be collected during wetter months and used later.
IBC tanks can provide a relatively inexpensive storage solution, particularly where several can be connected together. However, they need to be suitable for water storage, properly cleaned and protected from contamination, sunlight, insects and animals.
Rainwater can be useful for washing down yards, cleaning equipment and other non-drinking purposes. If it is intended for horses to drink, it must be assessed for suitability and treated where necessary. Roof materials, bird droppings, debris and the condition of storage tanks can all affect water quality.
Boreholes and wells
Some yards have invested in boreholes or existing wells to provide an alternative to mains water. These can offer a valuable independent supply, particularly where groundwater is reliable.
However, a borehole is not a guarantee of year-round water. Groundwater levels can fall during prolonged drought, and some private supplies have already experienced problems during recent dry periods.
Natural Resources Wales advises private supply owners to consider the history of their source during previous droughts, monitor water levels and investigate storage capacity and alternative supplies.
Pumps and nearby water sources
Where a yard has access to a privately owned stream, river or other water source, pumps or suitable water transfer systems may provide another option.
However, ownership of the surrounding land does not automatically give someone unrestricted rights to abstract water. In England and Wales, taking more than 20 cubic metres (20,000 litres) a day from a river, stream or underground source will generally require an abstraction licence. Environmental restrictions may also apply below that threshold, and access rights must be established. Scotland has a different authorisation system.
Reusing water
There may also be opportunities to reuse water that would otherwise be sent straight down the drain.
For example, suitable greywater from domestic use may be reused for certain cleaning or non-contact purposes, provided it is properly managed and does not create a contamination or pollution risk.
However, it is important to distinguish between water suitable for washing a yard floor and water suitable for anything that will be eaten or drunk by a horse. Water containing detergents, shampoos, disinfectants, manure or other residues should never be used for drinking or soaking hay. Hay soaking water needs to be clean and suitable for contact with feed.
Is Reused Water Safe For Horses?
This is perhaps the most important consideration when looking at alternative water supplies.
Horses must have continuous access to sufficient clean, fresh drinking water. Government guidance on keeping horses during extreme weather identifies drinking water as the preferred source, followed by collected rainwater and reservoirs, while advising owners to seek veterinary guidance about alternative sources and any necessary treatment.
Natural water sources such as streams and ponds should not automatically be assumed to be safe. Agricultural run-off, wildlife, stagnant water, blue-green algae and other contaminants can all present risks.
Where water is being used for consumption, yards should consider appropriate water-quality testing and seek advice from a competent water-treatment specialist or veterinary professional. Private supplies may need testing for microbiological and chemical contamination, depending on their source and use.
Storage also matters. Tanks should be covered, protected against animal access and regularly inspected and cleaned. Water left standing for long periods can deteriorate in quality, particularly during warmer weather.
The Bigger Question: What Happens When The Rain Stops?
Rainwater harvesting is an excellent way to make use of available rainfall, but it does not solve the problem of a prolonged drought.
Storage tanks can only hold what has been collected. If several months pass with little or no meaningful rainfall, those reserves will eventually be depleted.
The same applies to rivers, streams, ponds and boreholes. When groundwater levels fall and river flows reduce, alternative supplies may become less reliable precisely when demand is highest.
This raises an important question for yards considering investment in water-saving infrastructure: are they planning for a short dry spell, or for a future where extended periods of water shortage become more frequent?
A larger storage capacity may help bridge temporary interruptions, but it cannot replace a reliable source of replenishment. Equally, installing a borehole without understanding the local groundwater conditions could prove an expensive investment if the supply is vulnerable to drought.
Yard owners should consider:
- How much water the yard uses on an average day and during hot weather.
- How long existing storage would last if the main supply failed.
- Whether alternative sources are reliable during prolonged dry periods.
- Whether abstraction permissions or other environmental requirements apply.
- Whether there is a backup supply, such as a neighbouring property or water delivery.
- How water quality will be monitored and maintained.
It is also worth having a contingency plan for an emergency interruption, rather than waiting until troughs are empty to find an alternative.
Water Conservation Must Never Compromise Equine Welfare
Reducing unnecessary water use is sensible, but there is an important distinction between conserving water and restricting access to it.
Horses should never have their drinking water rationed to reduce a yard’s consumption. Dehydration can affect digestion and increase the risk of impaction colic, particularly when horses are eating dry forage.
Instead, savings should come from reducing waste, repairing leaks, improving equipment and reusing water safely where appropriate.
Simple measures such as checking automatic drinkers, fitting suitable trigger nozzles to hoses, avoiding unnecessary hose use and collecting roof water can all make a difference. Water troughs should also be checked regularly for leaks, contamination and algae.
Planning For A More Water-Resilient Yard
The discussion among LiveryList yard owners shows that many are already taking practical steps to reduce their reliance on mains water and make better use of available resources.
Rainwater harvesting, boreholes, storage tanks and water reuse can all form part of a more resilient approach. But none is a complete solution in isolation.
As the UK experiences increasingly challenging periods of dry weather, yards need to think beyond simply collecting more water. They need to understand their consumption, protect the quality of alternative supplies and have realistic contingency plans for periods when natural sources are depleted.
Ultimately, the challenge is not just how to save water when it is available, but how to maintain a safe, reliable supply for every horse throughout the year, even when the rain doesn’t come.
How is your yard preparing for water shortages? Have you invested in rainwater harvesting, a borehole or alternative storage, or found ways to reuse water safely? We’d be interested to hear what’s working, and what concerns you still have about keeping supplies going through another prolonged dry summer.