Drought and water scarcity: an increasing threat
The UK and Ireland might be known as rainy places, but we’re actually no stranger to drought. It only takes a few sunny days to dry our vulnerable rivers to the point that they virtually disappear, with disastrous consequences for wildlife and river ecosystems. As climate change increases our chances of hot, dry seasons, our drought and water scarcity issues aren’t going anywhere unless we act now.
Although drought occurs naturally when temperatures rise and rainfall drops, climate change and population growth have placed a massive strain on freshwater resources through exacerbating water scarcity. Water is being abstracted from rivers and the aquifers that feed them at an unsustainable rate, whilst changing rainfall patterns mean that many of our rivers will see a marked decline in flow. When water levels drop, the concentration of pollutants increases, temperatures rise and the freshwater ecosystem suffers.
At The Rivers Trust, we are incredibly concerned about the low level of water in many rivers across the UK. We need a longer-term, more sustainable, joined-up approach to managing our water resources with greater emphasis on building resilience within rivers and wider landscapes. If we could do this and reduce water consumption, we could limit the impact on fish, wildlife, and the people enjoying the rivers during these dry weather periods. Moreover, we can help to protect those economic sectors that rely on water, ensuring a sustainable supply for all, including the river itself.
Until legislation preventing unsustainable abstraction is introduced, we need to take matters into our own hands. If we all make changes to water use in our daily life, particularly over the summer, we could significantly reduce the amount of water withdrawn from our rivers. In addition, working to improve the health of our rivers and catchments can help to buffer them against the damage caused by periods of drought.
How drought and water scarcity impacts rivers
You might think that your personal water use is unrelated to river levels, but that isn’t the case! Water companies often abstract water directly from rivers. This water is treated, then used in our homes and businesses. If we use less water, we will reduce the amount withdrawn from our rivers and aquifers.
When water is excessively abstracted from rivers, it can have dire consequences. Unfortunately, many rivers contain pollutants as a result of agriculture, industry, and household waste. When water levels drop, the concentration of these pollutants increases – often to a higher level than wildlife and plants can tolerate. Water scarcity also decreases the concentration of oxygen in the water, which again spells disaster for flora and fauna, Low water levels also prevent certain species of fish from migrating, which can completely disrupt important stages of their lifecycle.
We are lucky enough to have clean, running water in our homes – but wildlife doesn’t have this luxury. Many rely on rivers for their water intake, so when rivers dry up, it can cause wildlife to suffer and threatens ecosystems.
What’s my water footprint?
You’ve probably heard of carbon footprints, but water footprints are also very important.
A water footprint can be calculated for a product, service or person – or even for something as large as a country! Water footprints take into account all of the water which is required to generate the end product. They look at three different areas: blue, green, and grey water usage.
- Blue water footprint: the volume of freshwater consumed from water bodies such as rivers, lakes, wetlands, aquifers, etc.
- Green water footprint: the volume of water stored in the soil following rainfall. This water can be used by plants or evaporated to produce a product
- Grey water footprint: this is the volume of water required to dilute pollutants sufficiently enough for discharge
Our water footprints are determined by the products we purchase, the services we use and the way we live. By altering our habits, we can massively reduce our water footprint.
Being more mindful about how you use water at home and in the garden can also make a difference to your water footprint. Simple measures like fixing leaks can have a huge impact; just one leaky tap can waste 2,802 gallons of water each year.
Wetlands 2024
hectares of wetlands were created or restored by local Rivers Trusts in 2024-25
Reducing your water footprint
Inside the Home
- Turn off the tap while brushing, shaving, or doing the dishes. It’s a small habit with big impact – saving up to 9 litres of water per minute.
- Boil only what’s needed. Whether it's for a cup of tea or cooking dinner, using just the right amount of water also means using less energy.
- Diet is important. It’s thought that eating a meat-free diet could cut your water footprint in half.
- Take showers instead of baths. A quick, five-minute rinse can use less than half the water of a full tub.
- Upgrade your toilet with a water-saving insert. These inexpensive gadgets can reduce the volume of each flush by 1 to 3 litres. See what's available for free in your area.
- Repair leaks right away. A single dripping tap can waste around 13 litres every day – more than you might think.
- Wait for a full load. Dishwashers and washing machines are most efficient when fully loaded. Surprisingly, a dishwasher can be more water-efficient than handwashing.
- Reuse water whenever possible. Collected water from rinsing vegetables or boiling pasta can be used to hydrate houseplants or for garden use. If you run the tap waiting for it to warm, capture that water in a jug or watering can.
In the Garden
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Use a watering can instead of a hose. It’s more targeted and uses significantly less water.
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Water at cooler times of the day. Early mornings or evenings are ideal, as less water evaporates compared to midday heat.
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Install a rain butt. Collecting rainwater is free, and an easy way to have water available for your plants without adding to your water bill.
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Mulch your garden beds. Adding a layer of mulch helps lock in moisture and means you’ll need to water less often.
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Don’t stress over brown grass. Lawns naturally go dormant in dry periods and usually recover once the rain returns. Avoid sprinklers – they can use over 1000 litres per hour! Letting grass grow a bit longer can also help it stay hydrated.
