Brits are being urged to avoid using sprinklers and take shorter showers amid a surge in the demand for water after what is expected to be the driest May for England since 1896.
Leading industry body Water UK is begging people to ‘use water wisely’ following a string of moorland fires and as dry weather and the lockdown continue to drive high demand for water.
And Britain’s largest water company, United Utilities, is asking householders not to wash their cars as water companies see a huge rise in demand for water from households, particularly in the evenings, with use up 20% and some areas seeing peak demand of up to 40% above normal for the time of year.
The Met Office said the UK has recorded the sunniest spring since records began in 1929, while it is also set to be the driest May for 124 years, with official figures on rainfall set to be published later today.
The Met Office recorded more than 573 hours of sunshine this spring so far between March 1 and May 27, beating the previous record of 555.3 hours in 1948.
Scores of social media users have taken to social media to complain their homes have been without water or have had intermittent supplies for five days in parts of the West Midlands.
Bottled water was handed handed out to vulnerable residents across the Midlands over the weekend, and tankers delivered water supplies to some streets.
Severn Trent apologised to customers, saying supplies had been hit by a ‘incredibly high demand’ leading to low pressure problems.
The Llwyn-On reservoir in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales today where temperatures remain high following the sunny weekend
The Selset Reservoir in Lunedale, County Durham today. The Met Office said the UK has recorded the sunniest spring since records began in 1929, while it is also set to be the driest May for 124 years, with official figures on rainfall set to be published later today
Drone footage shows the devastation caused by a fire which has destroyed hundreds of trees at Longridge Fell, Lancashire, over the weekend
The Selset Reservoir, Lunedale, County Durham. Water UK said there was no shortage of water, but everyone using more at the same time as they enjoy the sunny weather outdoors can lead to lower water pressure, which affects how well it flows out of taps
Water UK said there was no shortage of water, but everyone using more at the same time as they enjoy the sunny weather outdoors can lead to lower water pressure, which affects how well it flows out of taps.
The combination of lockdown, which has kept people at home, and the sunny, dry weather is pushing up demand from households using water in the garden.
If gardeners anxious to maintain lawns and flowerbeds in the dry weather can avoid using a garden sprinkler at peak demand time in the evening, it would make a big difference to water pressure, Water UK said.
Other simple steps to reduce water use include taking shorter showers, making sure the dishwasher is full and on an eco-setting before running it through, and reusing paddling pool water on the flowerbeds.
But the industry body stressed people should keep following the guidance on protecting their health during the pandemic, by making sure they wash their hands regularly.
And after a wet winter, there are good supplies of water in reservoirs and there are currently no plans for hosepipe bans in the UK, Water UK said.
Water UK chief executive Christine McGourty said: ‘It’s a great time to be out in the sunshine if you can, but this record sunny weather is bringing record peak demands for water.
‘Just small changes through the day will make all the difference, and there are plenty more tips on staying wise about water in these unprecedented times.
‘The less water we use at peak times, the less likely it is that water will be ‘under pressure’.’
Low water levels at Corbridge in Northumberland after the driest May on record since 1896
Reading’s Atmospheric Observatory, to the west of London, said May 2020 was their sunniest and driest on record.
Research fellow at the university’s department Stephen Burt said: ‘This weather, and these records, are extraordinary.
‘May’s sunshine levels are far ahead of any previous month on record at Reading, and would rival the normal sunniest spots in the Mediterranean – many of which this year have been rather wet and dull.
‘Just as well as we can’t go abroad for sunshine anyway.’
Hydrologist at the university, Professor Hannah Cloke, added: ‘After being battered by winter storms and floods, the stark change in weather this spring has taken us from one extreme to another.
‘River levels have dropped, fish are being rescued from died up streams and gardeners and farmers are spending hours watering thirsty plants.
‘We are not yet resilient enough as a country to extreme weather events and we need to do better at looking after our water.
‘One of the most important things we can do is make sure that when rain does fall, we have healthy soil in our fields that is able to soak it up and pass it to our groundwater stores, instead of running off too quickly into streams, taking our precious soil with it.’
The weekend’s sunny weather saw crowds of people flock to beaches and beauty spots across England ahead of lockdown restrictions being eased today.
The hot weather will remain until the middle of the week, when it will then become more unsettled.
Low water levels at Corbridge in Northumberland after the driest May on record since 1896
Marco Petagna, a meteorologist with the Met Office, said the west of England could enjoy highs of around 27C (80.6F) today, while the south could see the hottest temperatures of the year so far on Tuesday at up to 29C (84.2F).
But the unseasonably warm period will give way to more changeable weather just days after the relaxation of lockdown measures, allowing socially distanced groups of up to six people to meet outside, today.
Mr Petagna said: ‘The sunny weather will certainly continue for a couple more days but from Tuesday we are starting to see some more unsettled weather across Scotland and the gradual trend will be turning cooler across the UK from Wednesday onwards.’
The forecaster said northerly winds will bring cooler air and some areas in the south of England could experience thundery showers.
People across England took advantage of the hot weather over the weekend to visit beaches and beauty spots, despite some authorities urging the public to stay away.
Nancy Platts, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, asked people not to visit the area on Sunday and called on the Government for more powers to implement a local lockdown.
On Saturday, crowds of people had to be evacuated from the beach and surrounding cliffs at Durdle Door, in Dorset, when three tombstoners were injured after jumping from a 200ft sea arch.
And scores of people defied attempts to close the beach on Sunday, with people being encouraged by crowds to jump from the same arch.
In Lancashire, one man died and two others were rescued and taken to hospital for treatment after a boat sank about a mile off the coast at Fleetwood on Sunday morning.
Authorities across the country urged people to stay away from open water, avoid lighting barbecues or fires and take litter home, as they reported having to fight fires and clear up rubbish left behind by visitors.
More than 100 firefighters in the North West battled to contain separate blazes as a result of the hot weather, with one moorland fire, covering 5km of land in Darwen, thought to have been started by a disposable barbecue.
A tweet by North York Moors National Park on Sunday said: ‘There are no poo pixies or litter fairies here.
‘Our rangers spent this morning at a beauty spot collecting 20 bags of rubbish, including nappies, socks, shoes, towels, chairs, gas canisters, BBQs, beer bottles, food and broken glass.
‘Please do your bit and take your litter home.’
Rochdale Council tweeted that local beauty spots had ‘taken a hammering’ from visitors and West Midlands Fire Service reported that firefighters spent the morning clearing up litter at Cannon Hill Park.