More than eight million households in south-east England have been placed under hosepipe bans after successive heatwaves left water supplies under strain, raising questions about how effectively the UK is managing its water resources. The bans, imposed by five water companies, prohibit the use of hosepipes for watering gardens, washing vehicles and windows, and filling pools.
Spring and early summer have been unusually dry across much of the country, with temperatures regularly exceeding 30C. However, the preceding winter was much wetter than usual, leading some to question whether the dry spell alone justifies the restrictions. The Environment Agency classifies most of England as in 'normal' status, but some catchments — including the Cam and Ely Ouse, North West Norfolk, North Norfolk, and parts of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight — have slipped into 'prolonged dry weather', the category below drought.
“More than eight million households face hosepipe bans in south-east England after dry spring and heatwaves.”
River flows were low across parts of the UK in June. "Without significant rainfall we could see increasing impacts on wildlife, agriculture and water resources as the summer progresses," said Steve Turner, a hydrologist at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH). Reservoirs in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland remain healthy and above expected levels for this time of year, while England's reservoirs are at roughly average levels, though with regional variation.
All of Wales is currently in 'normal' status, according to Natural Resources Wales, and there are no official droughts in Northern Ireland. Scotland does not formally declare droughts but monitors 'water scarcity'; the River Lossie in north-east Scotland has reached the most extreme category, 'significant scarcity'. As the summer continues, the question remains whether the UK is adequately prepared for the drier conditions that climate change is expected to bring.