Jacob Tompkins, of water industry body Water UK, said all four areas earmarked for development faced water shortages.
They include water supply and sewerage, including abstraction and impounding of water, resources management, water quality, the water industry, water charges, safety of reservoirs and so on.
The end of the year was in stark contrast to the beginning of 2012 when politicians, farmers and water industry officials held a "water summit" to look at supply concerns.
BBC: Met Office: 2012 was UK's second wettest year on record
As for surviving the larger storm, the one that's put the newspaper industry under water?
Politicians, farmers and water industry leaders will attend a "water summit" to look at supply issues after drought hit south-east England earlier this year.
In the water industry the economics are somewhat different, explains Stefan Helmcke, a water expert at McKinsey.
ECONOMIST: Utilities are getting wise to smart meters and grids
The Water Industry (Financial Assistance) Bill, which gives the government powers to reduce water bills in certain regions, was passed by MPs without a vote.
Then they continue with the second reading debate on the Water Industry (Financial Assistance) Bill - which is intended to curb the painfully high water bills charged in the south-west.
In the U.S., industry uses more water than agriculture thanks to its use in power generation.
Mr Tompkins said the water industry needs years to prepare for such major construction work.
We believe the guarantee from Capital Guarantee, additionally highlights our good reputation in the water industry.
Some industries are beginning to define industry-specific water stewardship principles and water accounting standards.
At present, Scotland has one devolved economic regulator - the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS).
But they are concerned about the reports of high profits and big salaries in the water industry.
MSPs then quizzed Water Industry Commission for Scotland chief executive Alan Sutherland and director of analysis John Simpson.
She was speaking during a second reading debate on the Water Industry (Financial Assistance) Bill on 29 February 2012.
The protections provided by the water industry's regulatory framework will continue as now.
The bottled water industry says the small bottles are essential to modern life and encourage people to live healthier lifestyles.
BBC: Concord, Massachusetts bans sale of small water bottles
That's not counting enhanced and flavored waters, which are growing quickly but remain a small part of the bottled water industry.
The regulator - the Water Industry Commission for Scotland - said it was likely to extend the price freeze for another year.
Overall, efficient and effective regulation of the water industry in Scotland has helped to deliver the lowest average household charges in Great Britain.
The bottled water industry was not very happy (of course) and has tried various initiatives to try to stop the bandwagon rolling on.
It wants the industry's water use to decrease by 10 to 15% by 2010 and in the south east of England by between 20 and 25%.
Government, regulators and the water industry were urged to make concrete plans for new supply networks in advance of house building, to ensure there are adequate water resources for the future.
Households that are in receipt of benefits or tax credits and have more than three children living in them can claim a water bill discount through the Water Industry Charges (Vulnerable Groups) Scheme.
The water industry has traditionally been conservative because its No. 1 goal is to avoid sickening people, so it can be difficult for a company to convince a municipality to risk testing a new approach.
Friends of the Earth (FOE) has said that numerous wetland areas that provide habitats for unique birds and plants were not included on the list sent to Ofwat, the water industry's regulator, by the Environment Agency.
To understand how dependent industry is on water, look no further than the southeast U.S. Last summer, a severe drought in the region forced a nuclear power plant, Browns Ferry, to shut down one of three reactors for a week.
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