How Veolia can create a more efficient water management system for the defence sector

May 11, 2026

As global resources become increasingly scarce due to climate change, the defence sector must develop resilient, sustainable supply chains and aim to identify opportunities for circular use of materials.

The need for circularity extends to water management, as the Ministry of Defence (MOD) consumes around 15.2 million cubic metres annually, presenting significant opportunities for efficient water management strategies.

Defence estates and communities need to safeguard their water supply to ensure operational continuity. It is also essential for those that live and work within defence estates. Increasing self-sufficiency through on-site water treatment can minimise supply risk and reduce dependency on external sources. Solutions such as water recycling and desalination can further support the MOD to combat water scarcity.

Veolia’s solutions for efficient water management

Veolia provides specialist water and wastewater treatment for military installations, including water purification, sewage treatment, stormwater management, and emergency response. Their solutions combat water scarcity through sustainable management, converting by-products into bioresources for renewable energy generation and conducting water sampling to manage micropollutants.

Veolia’s services include:

Desalination and potable water treatment
Water reuse and recycling solutions
Bioresources management
Water sampling and micropollutant identification and management
Wastewater processing for defence facilities and operations
Mobile water treatment solutions for remote military sites
Emergency water supply and treatment capabilities
Water and drainage network management

Veolia’s solutions in practice: Improving water efficiency across the MOD’s Scottish operations

Veolia worked closely with the MOD to identify water management opportunities across 450 locations in Scotland, encompassing a vast and complex infrastructure network. The improvement project included initiatives to reduce water loss and modernise monitoring systems, aiming to revolutionise water management in the area.

Veolia implemented a range of water and wastewater solutions, including the installation of data capture technology to improve monitoring processes; targeted leak detection to enable leaks to be swiftly identified and dealt with; the implementation of a 24/7/365 emergency response service; and the strategic management of MOD water assets.

The project dramatically reduced water leakage from over 80% to less than 30%, improved the condition and effectiveness of water assets, and improved water quality monitoring through an extensive sampling programme. The partnership with Veolia demonstrates the value of long-term, collaborative, and specialised water management solutions in making the MOD’s water more secure, safe and sustainable.

Veolia’s partnership with the MOD in Gibraltar

The MOD needed an uninterrupted daily supply of drinking water and filtered seawater for their operations in Gibraltar. However, the original plant had become too hazardous to access, meaning a new location was needed urgently, to ensure security and water quality was maintained.

Veolia partnered with the MOD to design, build, finance and operate the treatment plant. Veolia designed and built a new seawater desalination plant, allowing easier access and maintenance for the Armed Forces. The solution also provided a more efficient service, that was cheaper to run and less carbon-intensive.

Water is an essential part of everything we do, and the defence sector is no exception. The sector needs an uninterrupted supply of water for their day to day operations. Veolia has worked extensively with the MOD and its supply chain to implement water management solutions that increase efficiency and resilience while cutting costs and downtime.

Explore Veolia’s solutions for the UK defence sector.