DOVER WATER CONSUMPTION REDUCTION DUE TO THE HEAT

Dover residents are being urged to reduce their water consumption, as the South East feels the impacts of the warmest summer on record for the UK.

Met Office scientist, Dr Emily Carlisle, explained: 'Provisional Met Office statistics show that the summer of 2025 is officially the warmest on record with an average temperature of $16.10^\circ \text{C}$, surpassing the previous record of $15.76^\circ \text{C}$ set in 2018. The persistent heat this year was driven by a combination of factors including the dominance of high-pressure systems, unusually warm seas around the UK, and dry spring soils.'

'These conditions have created an environment where heat builds rapidly and persists, with both maximum and minimum temperatures noticeably above average.'

The heat has led to a water shortage in England. An Affinity Water spokesperson added: 'We are doing our part to find and fix leaks across our network and have reduced leakage by over 19% since 2020, saving 39 million litres of lost water every day. Our teams are working around the clock, especially during periods of high demand, to detect and fix leaks quickly and efficiently.'

'If everyone uses a little less now, it can help us keep a reliable water supply flowing to all homes and protect our rivers and streams. Making small changes at home, such as turning off the tap or using eco settings, can help protect our precious water supply.'

Affinity Water's campaign advises its customers on how to reduce water consumption. Its customers in Dover, Folkestone, and Lydd have been asked to help by using water more efficiently and sparingly.