Welsh Water urges water conservation as heatwave drives demand 17% above average

Welsh Water (Dŵr Cymru) warned that a prolonged heatwave has pushed water use 17% above normal, with daily demand exceeding 1,000 megalitres – up from the usual 850 megalitres. The utility said the situation is "closer to the point where supplying water quickly enough to meet demand becomes increasingly challenging" and that staff are working around the clock to increase production, move water via tankers and fix leaks.

Chief Customer Officer Kit Wilson urged customers to adopt simple measures such as using watering cans instead of sprinklers, letting lawns recover naturally, reusing paddling‑pool water in gardens, chilling water in a jug in the fridge, and running washing machines and dishwashers with full loads. These actions could save millions of litres and help keep supplies flowing while the heatwave continues and rain remains scarce.

The company noted that reservoir levels remain healthy despite falling, and that further measures could be needed if the hot, dry conditions persist.