London is among 70 per cent of English regions that could experience severe water stress in the next two decades unless action is taken, new analysis shows.
Water stress - which is when demand exceeds the available supply - could become “severe” as early as 2030 in seven of the country’s 17 water company regions.
By 2040 this could then spread to 12 regions covering almost the entire south and midlands, including the capital, according to home improvement company Kingfisher which used data from water companies and the Environment Agency to make its findings.
No region currently faces water stress but the warming climate is expected to bring longer and hotter spells during the summer, which will put extra pressure on UK water resources.
Meanwhile water usage has risen by three litres per person per day in the last five years, says Kingfisher, which partnered with economics consultants Cebr for its analysis.
Water stress in the Thames Water area is currently “moderate”, but is expected to become “severe” by 2039 unless usage and supply change, according to the data.
In a separate survey of 3,000 people, commissioned by Kingfisher, more than half of respondents said they leave the tap on while brushing their teeth - a figure that rose to 70 per cent among Londoners.
The capital is one of the regions most likely to face future water stress, and where the amount of water lost through pipe leaks is among the highest in the country.
Only 25 per cent of respondents said they shower for under five minutes, while 40 per cent said they shower for eight minutes or longer.
The average shower uses 12 litres per minute, according to water company estimates, so an eight-minute shower could be using as much as 96 litres.
Kingfisher said more than 40 per cent of water in the home is used for showers, baths and hand-washing, with loos using around 30 per cent.
Households across the country currently use an average of 144 litres of water per day.
The Government has set itself the target of reducing this to 122 litres by 2038, and 110 litres by 2050.
In its Plan for Water, released this year, the Government said installing water butts, using water more sensibly and more efficiently as well as fixing leaks quickly, turning off the tap while brushing teeth and installing smart meters will help reduce demand.
It also wants water companies to reduce leaks in their pipelines, which currently leads to the loss of around 20 per cent of the public water supply.
Thierry Garnier, CEO of Kingfisher, said: “Across Europe, we are experiencing more extreme weather, leading to increasing water scarcity in many regions.
“As the impact of climate change becomes more apparent, measures such as hose pipe bans are set to become much more common, with increasingly strong measures needed to reduce demand.
“We all have a role to play in conserving water. Making simple and affordable changes in our homes can have a huge impact, from installing water butts to collect rainwater for the garden to fitting tap aerators or low-flow shower heads.
“Governments can also help by encouraging the rollout of smart water meters and supporting the public to be more informed about water.
“By taking action now, we can put our water usage on a more sustainable path and safeguard this essential resource for the future.”
