UK urged to save water during heatwave

UK residents are being urged to save water during nationwide heatwave. 

As part of the Water’s Worth Saving campaign, everyone is being encouraged to take simple steps to cut down on their water use as water companies see demand increase during the current heatwave. 

This call comes after the Met Office released its first-ever extreme heat weather warning, with all four UK nations recording the hottest day of the year over the weekend. 

The campaign group is urging residents to: 

• Avoid washing your car
• Let nature water your grass
• Save paddling pool water
• Stop using the garden hose
• Don’t leave taps running
• Take shorter showers
• Fill your dishwasher before you use it

The campaign is part of a joint iniative with the water industry trade body Water UK, and water-saving experts Waterwise. 

The groups have highlighted that an increase in hotter drier summers due to the climate crisis means there is a risk of water shortages by 2050, and therefore saving more is has never been more important. 

Steven Ramsdale, Met Office chief operational meteorologist said: ‘The high temperatures are going to continue through a large part of this week, with temperatures regularly in the high 20s and low 30s Celsius by day along with high overnight temperatures.

‘The Met Office, in partnership with public health agencies across the UK, has issued an amber extreme heat warning.

‘This is focussed over some western parts of the UK as this is where the most unusually high temperatures are likely to persist. However, many parts of the UK will continue to see heatwave thresholds breached during the week.’

Peter Jenkins, Water UK director of campaigns, added: ‘As the UK basks in a heatwave, we know that people will want to get out and about and enjoy themselves with their families and friends.

‘Our simple hints and tips, such as letting your lawn go brown, reusing paddling pool water, and using watering cans instead of a garden hose, are easy things we can all do to help conserve water and protect the environment.

‘Making small changes to our everyday routines at home, on holiday or in the garden can make a big difference to our water supplies.’

Photo by Delia Giandeini