Overview
- Demand rose sharply during the heatwave, with Yorkshire Water recording 1.485 billion litres used on Tuesday, June 23, about 150 million litres above the seasonal average.
- The company forecasts demand could peak at about 1.49 billion litres on the hottest day later this week and is preparing extra network shifts to respond.
- Yorkshire Water is asking customers to save water through simple steps such as using a watering can instead of a hose, running only full dishwashers and washing machines, turning taps off while brushing teeth, fixing leaks, and reusing paddling-pool water.
- Operational teams are working round the clock to redistribute supplies to areas under most pressure, and the company says this short-term response sits alongside a confirmed five-year, £8.3 billion environmental and resilience investment programme.
- Higher demand can affect households through tighter local supplies or temporary restrictions; the company and regulators may consider measures used before, such as hosepipe bans, if hot, dry conditions persist.