Severe water stress could impact our entire region
Seven English regions could face severe water stress by 2030 – spreading to almost the entire south and midlands by 2040, new analysis has shown.
Using data from water companies and the Environment Agency, home improvement company Kingfisher’s research suggests a total of 12 out of 17 English regions could face severe water stress in the coming two decades unless action is taken.
Regions in the south of England - obviously including Hampshire - are expected to be the worst affected.
The West Midlands, London, parts of the South West, the East Midlands, the East of England, and the South East are all regions expected to be severely impacted, unless there are developments in water resilience in the near future.
By comparison, the North West, the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber will be less vulnerable to severe water stress.
Currently, nowhere in England is considered to be water stressed. Water stress occurs when the demand for water exceeds the available local supply and is being exacerbated by the effects of climate change and population growth.
Households use an average of 144 litres per day and the Government has set itself the target of reducing this to 122 litres by 2038 and 110 litres by 2050.
In its Plan for Water, the Government said installing water butts, using water more sensibly and more efficiently as well as fixing leaks quickly, turning off the tap while brushing teeth and installing smart meters will help reduce demand.
It also wants water companies to reduce leakage in their pipelines; some 20% of the public water supply is lost this way.
Kingfisher, which partnered with economics consultants Cebr for its analysis, said water use has risen by three litres per person per day in the last five years.
Thierry Garnier, CEO of Kingfisher, said: ‘Across Europe, we are experiencing more extreme weather, leading to increasing water scarcity in many regions.
‘As the impact of climate change becomes more apparent, measures such as hose pipe bans are set to become much more common, with increasingly strong measures needed to reduce demand.’