Brits urged to take shorter showers to avoid hosepipe bans as country's dry spell sparks drought fears… while water bills soar

Daily Mail​

19-05-2025

Britons are being urged to save water by taking shorter showers amid fears of usage restrictions - such as hosepipe bans - following the country's dry spell.
It is the driest spring so far in more than a century, which has prompted warnings of a drought in England this summer without sustained rainfall.
As of Friday, 80.6mm of rain had been recorded for the UK this spring - nearly 20mm less than the record low for the full season of 100.7mm set in 1852.
With almost two weeks of May left, the Met Office has said it is too early to say how spring (March, April and May) as a whole will rank.
The Environment Agency has said there is a 'medium' risk of drought in England this summer without substantial downpours.
Parts of England saw hosepipe bans in 2022 and 2023 following hot weather.
And water bosses in the South East are calling on households - who are facing soaring bills - to think about their usage amid the current dry spell.
Southern Water's Tim McMahon told the BBC that 'drought conditions would be likely' unless there were 'significant periods of rain over the next three months'.
'We have long-term plans for new sources of water to combat the significant challenge of water scarcity in the region,' Mr McMahon added.
'But right now, we must all work together to keep our taps running.'
On its website, Southern Water advises customers that cutting two minutes off a daily shower could save up to 6,000 litres of water per year.
Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth could also save more than 5,000 litres of water per person each year, according to the firm.
And gardeners are told to swap a hose for a watering can to save up to 1,000 litres of water an hour.
South East Water's Nick Price said recent warm and dry weather saw 'demand for water increase to the highest levels we have ever seen for this time of year'.
Thames Water said its groundwater levels remain above average but river flow levels in its catchment area, which account for 70 per cent of the company's supply, are below average.
SES Water said it was 'ready for summer' and its resources were 'in a very strong position'.
'The one thing none of us can control is the weather and we know demand for water rises in warmer months, so everyone should keep using water wisely,' the company added.
Affinity Water said: 'We're not introducing any water restrictions right now, such as hosepipe bans, and based on current conditions, we don't expect to.'
Households in England and Wales are seeing their water bills increase by an average of £86 over the next year alone.
Regulator Ofwat allowed companies to raise average bills by 36 per cent, or £157 in total, over the next five years, to £597 by 2030, to help finance a £104 billion upgrade for the sector.
Some firms have been allowed significantly higher increases. Southern Water customers will face a 53 per cent increase and Severn Trent households will see their bills rise by 47 per cent, before inflation.
However, despite the average £31-a-year rise, households have been hit particularly hard from last month, with an average increase of £86 or 20 per cent front-loaded into the coming year, with smaller percentage increases in each of the next four years.
Unlike gas and electricity suppliers, households cannot choose which company supplies their water, meaning they must either absorb the financial hit or consider ways to reduce their consumption.