30 Aug 2023
An investigation by Unearthed reveals How England’s water companies struggled in last summer’s heatwaves Water supplies ran so low during last summer’s drought that England’s environmental regulator warned that companies might break the law to keep the taps running, documents obtained by Unearthed reveal. The internal briefings – obtained under freedom of information laws – […]
23 Aug 2023
New data from the World Resources Institute’s Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas show that 25 countries — housing one-quarter of the global population — face extremely high water stress each year, regularly using up almost their entire available water supply. And at least 50% of the world’s population — around 4 billion people — live under highly water-stressed […]
05 Jul 2023
The multi-stakeholder National Drought Group met last week to discuss the impact of the hottest June on record on reservoir and groundwater levels and river flows. As of 20 June, total reservoir stocks for England were at 83% of their total capacity. Devon, Cornwall and parts of East Anglia remain in drought. In the Lake […]
21 Jun 2023
Over the last few days there have been multiple cases of dead fish in rivers reported. The Environment Agency is investigating whether these are due to pollution or natural causes, but has said that oxygen levels were significantly reduced along the impacted stretches, which include the Avon, the Oxford Canal, Salford Quays and the Mole.
21 Jun 2023
South East Water is introducing a hosepipe ban amid shortages in Kent and Sussex. Schools in the region have been forced to close during the warm weather and bottled water stations have been set up as the utility company said demand for drinking water had reached “record levels”. The company said the temporary hosepipe restrictions […]
21 Jun 2023
Worrying piece in the Guardian – an ominous sign of things to come this summer? The upper River Derwent in Borrowdale in the Lake District – famous for its reputation as the wettest place in England – is almost completely dry, leading experts to warn of “disastrous conditions for wildlife”. This was the third year […]
21 Jun 2023
Under our changing climate, the weather in Europe is getting more extreme. What could this summer bring in terms of heatwaves, droughts, floods, and forest fires? The overall outlook is pessimistic as we have already seen this past winter and spring. This makes adaptation to climate change and better preparedness crucial, according to a European […]
21 Jun 2023
Interesting piece in the Guardian that argues we are using more water than we can sustainably supply, with a water crisis the inevitable result. The article encompasses scarcity, overabstraction, pollution, underinvestment, government and regulatory failings, environmental degradation and corporate misconduct – “all within the confines of one small country in the far west of Europe”. […]
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