Thousands of households across southeast England faced water shortages and low pressure during a record-breaking heatwave, as rising demand and an unusually dry spring placed heavy strain on the region’s ageing water infrastructure.
According to South East Water, more than 20,000 people were affected at the peak of the disruption, including nearly 8,000 residents in the coastal town of Whitstable. Emergency water supply points were set up as people queued to collect water on Friday.
Britain, along with several parts of Europe, has experienced intense heat over the past week, increasing water consumption. At the same time, lower-than-average rainfall during March and April added pressure on reservoirs, the Environment Agency said.
The situation has also reignited criticism over infrastructure problems and insufficient investment by privatised water companies.
In Whitstable, several businesses were forced to shut during a busy holiday period due to the disruption.
“If you can’t wash your hands, you can’t make food,” cafe owner Mark Kidd said, while expressing frustration over the water crisis.
Experts and officials have warned that climate change could further worsen water supply challenges in the future.
