Across Europe we’re starting to see much warmer, drier summers, resulting in water scarcity in many regions. Seven regions in England are predicted to be seriously water stressed by 2030, driven by climate change and population growth.

The West Midlands, London, parts of the South West, the East Midlands, the East of England, and the South East are all regions expected to be severely impacted, unless there are developments in water resilience in the near future. Regions in the South of England are expected to be the worst affected. By comparison, the North West, the North East and Yorkshire & the Humber will be less vulnerable to severe water stress.

By 2040, the year the Environment Agency has warned that England risks running short of water, the number of seriously water stressed regions is on course to rise to 12, out of a total of 17. Currently, nowhere in England is considered to be water stressed. Water stress occurs when the demand for water exceeds the available local supply and is being exacerbated by the effects of climate change and population growth.

Find out more about water stress in England from 2022 to 2040:

We use water at home in so many ways, from cooking, to washing hands, showering, bathing, cleaning, and gardening. As a home improvement retailer, we know that we have an important role to play in helping our customers across Europe to save water at home, through simple and affordable changes. 

Hear from our Product Sustainability Manager, Gin Tidridge on how you can save water in your home: