Over the summer, we tend to experience long periods of warm and dry weather, and this causes the demand for water to rise. Whilst we have plans in place to account for increased demand over the summer, significant periods of dry weather cause underground water levels to decrease. If we have had a drier winter compared to what we would normally expect prior to this, then this also contributes.

When our water resources are significantly affected, we ask customers to look at ways they can use water more wisely, to help manage demand. This not only benefits our water resources, but if customers are on meters, they save money on their bills.

Although we have seen an increase in heavy rainfall and flooding in recent times, when we are faced with extended periods of hot and dry weather, there is a big increase in the demand for treated water.

In the summer, we can see up to a 15% increase in expected customer demand. In June 2025, we saw demand reach 365 million litres of water per day – the same as 146 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Whilst our water resources are often healthy, climate change could continue to cause more extremes of weather, including hotter, drier summers.

We also know that water is a precious and finite resource, and that we all need to do our bit to ensure reliable supplies of clean, high-quality water now, for our children and for our grandchildren.

We can’t force customers to have a meter, but we do encourage more customers to choose to have a water meter fitted.

There are a number of benefits to being on a water meter. It’s the fairest way to pay, as you only pay for the water you use, and it gives you more control over your water usage.

It can also help you to identify leaks in your home, as a higher than usual meter reading can reveal a problem, which you can discuss with us straight away.

We continually monitor our reservoirs and other water sources, to ensure that they remain in a healthy position.

If our water sources were affected, for example during a period of extended drought, we may need to introduce temporary use bans – usually called hosepipe bans.

In line with our regulator, Ofwat’s price controls, we have increased our bills so we can continue to be a sustainable business that always delivers value for money for our customers - and long-term value for society and the environment.

To be able to do this, we are investing in sector-leading assets to enable us to always deliver high-quality water and excellent services to customers now and in the future, although our bills are still one of the lowest in the country.

Over the next five years, we will:

• invest in ensuring excellent water quality and reliable assets
• invest in schemes to enhance and protect the environment
• invest to achieve 76% metering coverage by 2030 and help customers 
  to reduce water use
• invest in alternative water sources
• deliver our ambition to meet net zero emissions by 2030
• deliver an ambitious 17% leakage reduction
  

We always plan for the long term. Every five years we consult on and publish a water resources management plan. This sets out how we will provide you with reliable and sustainable water supplies over the next 25 years. It also describes how we will manage our water resources and maintain the balance between supply and demand.

We also consult on and publish a drought plan, which sets out how we will manage our water resources during dry years. It sets out how we will minimise the impact our activities have on the environment and the triggers for different levels of actions we can take in the event of a drought.

As we’ve seen in recent times, demand for water among households is increasing. Climate change is likely to result in more extreme weather, including hotter, drier summers and wetter winters.

In our water resources management plan, we consider options for different scenarios over a 25-year time frame and beyond.

We are investing in alternative water sources to help make our water resources more resilient. This includes building a 25km water pipeline between Grafham Reservoir to our supply region and building a new reservoir in the Cambridgeshire Fens - both in partnership with Anglian Water. We have also committed to reducing leakage, offering water efficiency advice and education, and installing more water meters. 

We're a leading member of the Water Resources East group, and we are working in partnership with a wide range of organisations to consider regional options for sustainable, long-term water supplies.