Welsh Water warns of 20% surge in demand during heatwave
Welsh Water warns of 20% surge in demand during heatwave
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Welsh Water (Dŵr Cymru) is bracing for a significant surge in water usage as a heatwave sweeps across Wales and parts of Herefordshire, with temperatures forecast to hit as high as 32°C this weekend. The company anticipates demand could rise by up to 20% between Friday and Sunday, placing added pressure on water treatment and supply systems.
The third heatwave of the year comes on the heels of the driest spring on record, and the utility has already declared a “Developing Drought” status for Mid and South Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, and parts of Pembrokeshire due to falling reservoir levels.
While Welsh Water insists there is currently no widespread threat to supplies, the company is urging customers to avoid water waste and report leaks, warning that complacency could lead to further strain on resources.
“We want everyone to enjoy the warm weather, staying safe and hydrated,” said Ian Christie, Managing Director of Water Services at Welsh Water. “But we are facing sustained spikes in demand, and we’re asking customers to do their part by avoiding unnecessary water use.”
On an average day, Welsh Water treats and distributes around 850 megalitres of water, enough to fill 320 Olympic-sized swimming pools. During previous heatwaves, this figure has climbed to more than 970 megalitres per day.
The company has engineers working across its network to manage the increase in demand, including fixing around 700 leaks a week and using a fleet of water tankers to redistribute supply to high-demand areas. Nevertheless, it warned that excessive use, especially of garden sprinklers, paddling pools, and outdoor hoses, can quickly deplete resources.
“A garden sprinkler, for example, uses around 1,000 litres of water every hour, roughly equivalent to two days’ worth of water use for an average family,” Christie noted.
Welsh Water is also reminding the public not to swim in reservoirs, citing serious safety risks including strong currents and hidden machinery.
As the region enters another stretch of extreme heat, the utility is deploying incident response teams through the weekend and reinforcing its message of shared responsibility.
“By working together, we can keep water flowing and protect both our environment and communities throughout the summer,” Christie added.
Customers are encouraged to report leaks via Welsh Water’s website or customer service line.
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