Areas including Southampton and Norwich risk running out of water if further restrictions are not brought in, water companies are warning.
Around 165,000 people in Hampshire could face restrictions to their water supply within six weeks under a worst case scenario set out by Southern Water.
Southern Water applied to the Government to allow it to take more water from the River Test and restrict some businesses’ water use in order to avoid running dry.
Meanwhile, Anglian Water has told customers in Norwich to only consume water for essential use due to worrying low river levels.
The firm hasn’t yet asked the Government to allow it to introduce further restrictions, but it remains an option if the situation deteriorates.
Bournemouth Water this week also asked customers to reduce their water usage as it is struggling to cope with a spike in demand, caused in part by efforts to tackle the wildfire in the New Forest.
Southampton close to running out of water
Water companies typically bring in these restrictions when their rivers and reservoirs reach low levels.
On 31 July, Southern Water applied to the Government for a drought order, which would allow it to ban businesses from some activities, such as washing cars and windows with hosepipes and maintaining swimming pools.
A separate application was made for a drought order that would allow it to take more water than is typically allowed from the River Test.
This is because the water levels in the River Test have started to reach a level that would typically be considered too low to take water from. There are typically restrictions in place preventing water companies taking from rivers when they reach such low levels, in order to protect the environment.
Southern Water predicted the River Test may reach this level within 35 days if there is no rain, meaning the firm would be prevented from taking water from as early as 4 September. However, it is understood water levels have not been dropping as quickly as expected.
If it was prevented from taking water, 165,000 people would be “significantly affected by significant water supply” within two weeks, the firm said.
For this reason, Southern Water has asked for permission to keep taking water from the River Test if it passes the threshold that would usually be permitted.
Alastair Chisholm, water policy expert at Arup, said the Government would “almost certainly” approve such an application as supplying water to homes is considered more important than protecting the environment.
“The environment is almost always the first to feel the effects of drought,” he said. “It is a reflection of the fact that as a society people do come first. It’s an unfortunate circumstance that we kind of have to manage it that way.”
Reuse pasta water and shorten showers
Anglian Water is the latest company to ask some customers to use water only for essential purposes.
As of Wednesday, customers in Norwich have been asked to restrict their use due to exceptionally low levels in the River Wensum.
This could include measures such as using cooled pasta water to water plants, shortening showers and turning off the tap while brushing teeth, the company suggested.
The restrictions are only voluntary as it stands, but the firm would consider applying for a drought order if the situation deteriorates, The i Paper understands.
Bournemouth Water asked customers to reduce their usage where possible, as the efforts by firefighters to tackle a wildfire in the New Forest puts pressure on their supply.
People in Kent and Sussex have also been asked to only use water for essential uses following multiple outages, as South East Water struggle to deal with surges in demands during the various heatwaves.
While Southern Water remains the only company to have applied for a drought order so far, the Environment Agency has said other companies are considering this measure.
A Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson said: “This government is ready to take action to help secure water supplies if required.
“We are working closely with the Environment Agency, water companies, farmers, and environmental organisations to protect water supplies and minimise environmental damage.”
Nine water companies across the UK have introduced hosepipe bans, which means customers in these areas face fines of up to £1,000 if they are found using a hosepipe.
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