It’s official. Nine regions across England have declared drought, and more may be coming our way.
Drought, combined with one of the worst heat waves in modern times, has led to severe consequences for people across the region.
Climate change affects how we live and interact with our daily water supply. From farmers to students to MEP engineers, the future of our natural water supply looks to be on the decline. This year, scientists even announced that global rainwater supplies are largely contaminated with dangerous chemicals.
As Water Quality Month comes to a close, we want to discuss some important topics and developments related to water’s future.
No rain in the UK this summer?
Record-breaking heat waves have coincided with the country’s driest summer in 86 years. With drought warnings in place, local governments have had to act to conserve limited water supplies.
Since the beginning of the month, five counties have enacted temporary use bans (TUB), also known as hosepipe bans, on non-essential water use. Under these bans, residents cannot use water to:
- Water gardens
- Wash cars
- Fill swimming pools
- Clean paths and patios outside
Anyone caught using water for non-essential applications faces fines up to £1,000.
The untimely water shortage has also affected farmers who rely on summer rainfall and municipal water supplies to irrigate their fields. The heat wave and drought have taken a severe toll on crops, and farmers have reported significant losses.
As UK farmers prepare for this to become the new normal, the Environmental Agency reported that rivers could lose 50-80% of their water by 2050. Staggering numbers.
Unsafe rainwater around the globe?
Sadly, new research has shown that most rainwater around the planet now has detectable levels of “forever chemicals” (PFAS). Unlike other contaminants, these chemicals can’t break down naturally and come from the byproducts of industrial applications.
Though investigation is ongoing into the health risks associated with PFAS, research shows that cancer, infertility, hormonal imbalances, and developmental delays may be linked to these chemicals.
As more PFAS find their way into our homes over the next few years, you can invest in a simple filtration system to ensure your water is safe to drink. Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters are excellent solutions that ensure any water you use is free of toxic contaminants.
The future of UK water
Water experts and environmentalists are spreading awareness about the need for water reform in the UK. As water supplies become more scarce, experts say new water sources will need to be adopted. Additionally, new plans for redistributing water to drier regions need to be developed. Farmers are hoping the government can subsidise the construction of new reservoirs so that they can use these in times of water shortages.
Unfortunately, there’s no catch-all solution, and improving water supplies will depend on a combination of new technology, engineering innovations, and greener practices.
We’re all in this together, so for now, we’ll have to brace ourselves and hope the drought ends sooner than later. Rain rain, don’t go away!