Despite the UK’s record rainfall, scientists warn of possible water shortages and hosepipe bans this summer if dry conditions prevail.

Helena Horton reports for The Guardian.

In short:

• The UK’s lack of water storage and outdated infrastructure make it susceptible to “all or nothing” rain patterns, leading to potential summer shortages.
• A report predicts a significant water shortfall by 2050, exacerbated by climate change and increasing demand.
• Current strategies may include prioritizing public water supply and imposing bans on non-essential water use.

Key quote:

“We need to realise that our water infrastructure is creaking and required billions of pounds of investment.”

— Hannah Cloke, professor at the University of Reading

Why this matters:

The UK faces more extreme weather patterns, including longer periods of drought and unpredictable rainfall. These changes challenge the traditional water management strategies and necessitate significant investment in infrastructure to capture, store, and distribute water more efficiently and resiliently. Without this investment, the UK risks not having enough water to meet its needs during prolonged dry spells, a scenario that could become increasingly common.

By 2050 many of the world’s major cities will face surface water shortages, spurring regional conflict and competition for scarce resources.