UK witnesses water shortages due to outdated infrastructure
(MENAFN) The United Kingdom is on the verge of implementing water rationing due to prolonged mismanagement and outdated infrastructure, the country’s environment minister has revealed.
In a recent interview, Steve Reed highlighted that the UK might soon need to adopt water restrictions similar to those commonly enforced in drought-prone Mediterranean countries.
“The public, by and large, were not aware that at the time of the last general election, this country was looking at water rationing within ten years,” Reed said, reflecting on the situation one year after Labour’s election victory. He cautioned that rebuilding critical infrastructure, including water systems, “cannot be done over just five years.”
Increasing pressure on water supplies is partly driven by new industrial demands from sectors such as battery manufacturing and data centers, which require vast amounts of water for cooling purposes. “They can’t operate without vast amounts of water,” Reed noted.
He warned that without prompt action, the UK could face scenarios where water is rationed or even temporarily cut off during certain hours.
This caution comes in the wake of a record-breaking heatwave in June and as temperatures are forecast to rise above 30°C (86°F) again in some regions this week.
Following a government spending review by the water regulator Ofwat, £104 billion (approximately $136 billion) has been allocated over five years for infrastructure improvements, including the construction of new reservoirs and efforts to reduce water leakage, Reed said.
Despite public calls for swift solutions, Reed emphasized that revamping the nation’s water system will require more than five years to complete.
Countries facing similar water challenges have adopted various conservation strategies. Spain, for instance, limits household water use to a few hours per day during droughts; Australia enforces tiered bans; Singapore recycles up to 40% of its water through advanced purification; and South Korea employs smart meters to detect usage and leaks.
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