15 Sep 2022

There is a pressing need to prepare and adapt to the environmental and wider impacts of climate change, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said as it confirmed that all parts of Wales have now moved to drought status. With the South West, South East and parts of Mid Wales already in drought, the Wales Drought Liaison […]

25 Aug 2022

Environment Agency CEO calls for “complete gear change” in how water companies and water users think about how they use water.     The National Drought Group (NDG), made up of senior decision-makers from the Environment Agency, government, water companies and key representative groups met again (23 August) under the chairmanship of Sir James Bevan, […]

25 Aug 2022

Two-thirds of Europe is under some sort of drought warning, in what is likely the worst such event in 500 years.     The latest report from the Global Drought Observatory says 47% of the continent is in “warning” conditions, meaning soil has dried up, the BBC has reported. Another 17% is on alert – meaning vegetation […]

17 Aug 2022

Most parts of the UK have seen significant rainfall over the last few days, but the drought is not over. Latest news includes Hosepipe bans in Yorkshire Water (from 26 Aug) and potentially Thames Water Environment Secretary meeting with water companies Sir John Armitt, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, calling for greater investment in […]

10 Aug 2022

Water UK blog Water and sewerage are uniquely sensitive to the impacts of a changing climate. The water industry has been working hard on its response: from mitigating industry’s own carbon emissions, to managing the multi-decadal impact of increased rainfall, to preparing for increased algal blooms in water sources. More than any other impact, though, we worry about […]

03 Aug 2022

Following last week’s piece about the EA’s convening of the National Drought Group, the National Infrastructure Commission has warned of emergency queues on the streets, without swift and extensive hosepipe ban and compulsory water metering. This follows the driest July in England since 1935. Reported in the Guardian, “a national hosepipe ban should be implemented […]