Water is essential at any outdoor event -- for drinking, cooking, washing, and sanitation -- but managing it responsibly is something many organisers don't think about until problems arise. From ensuring adequate supply to handling wastewater and preventing ground contamination, water management requires planning and investment. Here's what UK event organisers need to know.
Understanding your water demand
The amount of water your event needs depends on its size, duration, weather conditions, and the facilities you provide. As a baseline, the Event Safety Guide (commonly known as the "Purple Guide") recommends planning for approximately 2 litres of drinking water per person per day at outdoor events, plus additional water for cooking, cleaning, and sanitation.
For a 5,000-person festival over three days, that translates to at least 30,000 litres of drinking water alone, plus significantly more for all other uses. During hot weather, consumption can increase by 50% or more.
Catering operations are major water consumers. A single food vendor might use 200-500 litres per day for cooking, food preparation, dishwashing, and handwashing. Multiply that by 20-30 vendors and the numbers become substantial.
Water supply options
For events on sites with mains water connections, supply is relatively straightforward -- though you still need to ensure adequate pressure and capacity, particularly during peak demand periods. A bowser (water tank) provides backup capacity and can be positioned around the site to reduce pipe runs.
For rural or greenfield sites without mains connections, water must be supplied entirely by tanker or bowser. This requires careful logistics planning -- how many tankers, how often they need refilling, where they're positioned, and how water is distributed from the tanks to the points of use.
All drinking water must meet Drinking Water Inspectorate standards. If you're using a private water supply (borehole, spring, or river abstraction), it must be tested and treated before use. Non-potable water can be used for some purposes (flushing toilets, washing vehicles) but must be clearly distinguished from drinking water to prevent accidental consumption.
Free water refill points
Providing free, accessible water refill stations throughout your site serves a dual purpose -- it keeps attendees hydrated and healthy, and it dramatically reduces plastic bottle waste. Position refill points near stages, in camping areas, near food stalls, and at other high-traffic locations.
Refill stations should be clearly signed and visible. If people can't find them, they'll buy bottled water instead. Consider using elevated water tanks with gravity-fed taps, which don't require power and can be positioned flexibly around the site.
Communicate the availability of free water in advance. Include refill point locations on your site map, mention them in confirmation emails, and encourage attendees to bring reusable bottles. Some events provide branded reusable bottles at the entrance, combining hydration, waste reduction, and merchandise in a single item.
Wastewater management
What goes in must come out. Wastewater from catering, washing facilities, and sanitation needs proper management to prevent ground contamination and comply with environmental regulations.
Grey water (from washing and cooking) should be collected in tanks rather than allowed to soak into the ground. Fats, oils, and grease from catering must be captured in grease traps before entering the wastewater system -- they're a major cause of drainage blockages and can contaminate soil and waterways.
For events on agricultural land or near waterways, the Environment Agency may impose specific conditions on your wastewater management. Check well in advance and include wastewater provisions in your event management plan.
Sustainable water practices
Beyond the basics of supply and disposal, there are several ways to reduce your event's water footprint.
Water-efficient fixtures -- Low-flow taps, trigger-operated hoses, and aerated shower heads reduce consumption without sacrificing functionality. For temporary installations, push-button taps that shut off automatically prevent water being left running.
Rainwater harvesting -- For multi-day events, collecting rainwater for non-potable uses (toilet flushing, site cleaning) can supplement your supply. This is more practical than you might think, particularly during typical UK summer weather.
Vendor water management -- Include water efficiency requirements in vendor contracts. Require vendors to use water-efficient washing methods, capture wastewater properly, and minimise unnecessary water use.
Waterless alternatives -- Composting toilets and waterless urinals eliminate the need for flushing water in sanitation. These are increasingly common at UK festivals and can reduce water demand significantly. Dry handwashing stations using alcohol-based sanitiser can supplement (but not replace) water-based handwashing facilities.
Drainage and site protection
Heavy foot traffic combined with water use and UK weather can quickly turn a greenfield site into a mudbath. Good drainage planning protects both the event experience and the land itself. Trackway across high-traffic areas prevents ground damage. Drainage channels direct surface water away from key areas. And post-event site restoration -- reseeding, decompaction, and litter picking -- helps the land recover.
A Greener Festival's accreditation programme assesses water management as one of its twelve sustainability categories, providing guidance on best practice and benchmarking your performance against other events.
Water management may not be the most glamorous aspect of event planning, but getting it right protects your attendees' health, the local environment, and your reputation as a responsible organiser. Like choosing digital ticketing through Tickts over printed tickets, it's about making responsible choices across every aspect of your event.
