More than 350,000 people are living under a hosepipe ban as a heatwave warning is extended across the UK. Cambridge Water announced the temporary ban, which could see rulebreakers fined £1,000, would come into effect at 1am on Friday. The company said it would help protect local water resources and the region’s internationally important chalk streams.
First ban in 30 years
Managing director Elena Karpathakis told the BBC: “We have been doing everything possible to maintain supplies, but demand for water is currently at record levels. So we really need your help please.” She added: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly – it is the first time in more than 30 years, since the UK drought of 1995, that we have had to introduce a temporary hosepipe ban.”
South East Water introduced a ban on July 3 for areas of Kent, including Ashford, Canterbury, Faversham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Snodland, Tenterden and Tunbridge Wells. Hosepipe restrictions are also set to come into force for about one million Southern Water customers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on Friday.
Record-breaking temperatures
Temperatures have broken the record for the number of days the UK has exceeded 34°C in a calendar year, the Met Office announced. Forecasters recorded 34.4°C at Wisley in Surrey on Thursday, breaking the previous record of seven days set in both the infamous summer of 1976 and 2020. European forecasters also confirmed that last month was western Europe’s hottest June on record and the second hottest June globally.
Scientists say these record-breaking weather events are becoming more intense and more frequent because of climate change, largely driven by the burning of fossil fuels. UK officials recently warned that the risk of drought conditions in areas of the country this year is becoming increasingly likely, with a close watch on East Anglia, Devon and Cornwall.
Health alerts and electricity strain
On Thursday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) updated its amber health alerts to include the East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber and London from Thursday to Sunday, on top of amber alerts already covering the Midlands and southern England from Wednesday to Sunday. This means significant impacts are likely across health and social care services, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. Yellow heat health alerts have also been issued for northern England until Sunday.
Britain’s electricity grid operator issued another plea for more power generation, forecasting a tight period for electricity margins for Thursday evening over extreme temperatures in Europe. It is the third so-called electricity margin notice issued by Neso this year, which is more typically sent during cold spells in winter. Extreme heat puts pressure on the electricity system by making processes less efficient, including generation from nuclear power plants, gas stations and water cooling systems, coinciding with increased use of fans and air conditioning.
Wildfire risk
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) flagged the increasing risk of wildfires this week, advising people to avoid using disposable barbecues in open countryside, parks and moorlands.
