How a changing climate is affecting water use
Climate change is affecting UK weather patterns, and a growing population needs more water. With higher demand, and less predictable rainfall, we all need to be more water efficient.
Demand for water is increasing, but rainfall is changing
In June 2020, a report called the Great British Rain Paradox was released.
The Great British Rain Paradox shows how, due to a combination of factors, climate change and population growth will lead to water shortages in England by 2040.
2025 has been another extreme summer, with exceptional warmth, lots of sunshine and continual dry conditions. The Met Office has said it’s been the UK’s warmest on record after the country faced four heatwaves.
Hotter and drier summers, like this year, are becoming more common in our changing climate, with us likely to experience this extreme weather now once every five years.
The latest in 2025
We’ve enjoyed a beautiful, hot summer, but following the driest spring in over 130 years, this year is shaping up to be one of the hottest and driest on record.
Whilst we’ve seen some rain in recent weeks, our reservoirs still need time to recover and be replenished, ready for next year. And this is why it’s important to be water efficient all year round.
Whether it’s fixing leaking toilets, installing water-efficient fixtures or collecting rainwater, everything you do can have a real impact.
And you could save money too – whether on your water or heating bill. (Did you know the money spent heating water translates to 18% of your heating bill?)
How we’re saving water
We take our responsibility to look after one of life’s essentials very seriously. We’re passionate about protecting water and making sure each of us can access this vital natural resource, sustainably, when we need it.
Leaks on our network are one of the biggest water conservation problems we face. Our teams use cutting-edge technology to find and fix leaks faster than ever before, and we’re going to keep investing in detection technology to make sure we keep improving.
We’re working with our colleagues across the whole of the water sector and with all of us doing our bit, we can all make a difference.
You can help save water and save money
We’re doing all we can to save water, but there are some simple steps you can take to help too.
Together, we can make sure there’s enough water for everyone.