Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the effect of hot weather in July and August 2022 on the availability of water in the UK.

The Environment Agency (EA) keeps a close eye on the water situation in England and continues to work with water companies and other abstractors to monitor water resources to inform how much water is available.

Water availability has been significantly affected by the current drought.

During warm dry weather, demand for water also increases. It is largely due to increases in outdoor domestic water use. In the 2018 drought, a study across 15 water companies found companies experienced peak demands of between 120 per cent and 250 per cent above the previous year.

Essential water supplies remain secure, but water company supply is deteriorating, particularly for South West Water, Yorkshire Water and Severn Trent Water. Average rainfall over the autumn and winter is needed to replenish rivers, lakes, groundwaters and reservoirs to normal levels by the spring and prevent further environmental degradation.

EA monthly reports on rainfall, soil moisture deficit, river flows, groundwater levels and reservoir levels can be found at Water situation: national monthly reports for England 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).