Heatwaves are becoming a more regular part of UK summers. While the impact on temperatures is obvious, the effect on water resources is often less visible. Hotter weather increases demand while at the same time reducing supply, putting pressure on an already stretched resource. For businesses, it’s important to understand what this could mean in practice and where small changes can make a real difference in saving water when it matters most.
What’s classed as a heatwave?
A UK heatwave is defined as when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures reaching or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold. This threshold varies by UK county.* Heatwaves in the UK put strain on our water supplies by causing sudden spikes in public consumption.
How increased demand can impact your operations
As temperatures rise, increased water demand can affect day-to-day business operations. For organisations that rely heavily on water, higher usage can lead to increased costs, tighter availability and greater pressure during peak periods. Even for lower-use businesses, spikes in demand across the network can contribute to wider strain on the system, particularly during prolonged periods of dry weather. Understanding how your business water use fits into this bigger picture can help you plan ahead to avoid disruption when demand is at its highest.
How to save water when it matters most
During periods of hot, dry weather, even small changes in water use can make a meaningful difference. Using water more efficiently can help reduce pressure on local supplies and support the wider water network at times of peak demand.
You can save water by taking simple steps:
- fix leaks quickly
- monitor usage more closely, and
- reduce non-essential use, particularly during prolonged warm periods.
These small, simple actions help protect the environment and support long-term resilience as demand grows.
Building resilience for the future
As UK heatwaves become more frequent, managing water use is becoming an increasingly important part of building long-term business resilience.
The UK’s climate is expected to bring hotter, drier summers alongside growing demand, placing continued pressure on water availability. By taking a proactive approach now, whether through improving efficiency, monitoring usage more closely or embedding water-saving behaviours, businesses can reduce risk, manage costs and support the sustainability of a shared resource.
Looking for practical ways to reduce your water use?
When it comes to your water use, making small, simple changes can make a big difference. Our Water Efficiency Tools give great tips and advice to help organisations save water, while our My Business Stream platform gives you greater visibility and control over your account and consumption.
If you’d like a deeper understanding of where savings and efficiencies could be unlocked, our Sustainability Services team can help. Get in touch at solutions@business-stream.co.uk to find out more about auditing your water use and strengthening your resilience.
Sources
* What is a heatwave? - Met Office
