With temperatures set to rise to the high 20s this weekend, Anglian Water’s engineers are working hard to make sure that taps keep running as demand for water increases.

During hot weather, demand for water is higher than usual. Increased usage puts pressure on the company’s water network and can lead to issues such as bursts and low pressure. Dry ground conditions also increase the likelihood of burst water mains.

Over the late May bank holiday, which saw the highest ever May temperatures in the UK, data from Anglian Water showed that the average smart metered customer used more than 30 extra litres of water in a single day. While typical demand for customers on smart meters was 120 litres per person per day during May, the hottest days saw demand rise by more than a quarter, with the average customer using 152.9 litres on 25 May.

Anglian Water teams have been working around the clock to optimise the water network’s performance and keep everyone’s taps running ahead of the expected warm weather. This includes work to increase the amount of water put into supply, as well as putting more boots on the ground to respond to higher volumes of burst water pipes and leakage.

Last year, the East of England experienced the driest spring and summer since 1976, with the warmest summer on record in the UK. This meant many of the water company’s resources were at low levels heading into winter 2025/26. Fortunately the winter provided some much needed rainfall which helped many of our sources to recover. However, dry and warm weather returned this spring and it ended up being England’s warmest on record, and in the Anglian region, it was the second driest on record. 

While Anglian Water’s resources are still secure, the last few months of hot and dry weather – following on from record-breaking dry and warm weather in 2025 – have outweighed the rainfall seen in the winter and more recently in June meaning that some sources in the region, including in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, are experiencing below normal levels. Heading into the summer months, the company’s drought experts are monitoring these areas closely, while engineers continue to work around the clock to fix pipes, upgrade systems and secure more water for the future.

Dr Geoff Darch, Head of Strategic Asset Planning at Anglian Water, said:

"The Anglian Water region is one of the driest in the country, which is why we’ve been investing for decades to make sure we’re resilient to drought. This year, as we mark 50 years since the 1976 drought, we also celebrate the 50th anniversary of our region’s biggest reservoir, Rutland Water. But we’re also looking ahead to what looks likely to be another hot, dry summer, following last year, which was the driest spring and summer since 1976.

“We know that climate change is making this kind of extreme weather more common – and we’re also in one of the fastest-growing areas of the UK, putting additional pressure on our already water-stressed region. Massive infrastructure upgrades, such as our strategic pipeline, are already starting to deliver huge benefits for our region’s drought resilience in Ipswich and Colchester. But we need to go further now and continue building for better.  We’re currently progressing plans for two new reservoirs in our region – one in the Fens, with the latest consultation results now published, and one in Lincolnshire – alongside other solutions such as desalination and water reuse.

Staying safe while swimming

Although it may seem appealing to take a dip in the East of England’s reservoirs during this hot weather, Anglian Water experts have stressed that they are operational sites and can be extremely dangerous, even for the strongest swimmers. Customers are reminded to please take care if they're swimming in this hot weather, and head to one of the region's award-winning designated bathing waters.

How customers can help

Anglian Water’s customers are already among the most water-efficient in the UK, helping reduce the risk of low water pressures or interruptions to their supply during warmer weather. But ahead of the next hot spell, the water company is asking for its customers to protect their supplies by using water wisely wherever possible.

Dr Geoff Darch continued: “In the meantime, as we look forward to a warmer end to this week, we need our customers’ support to keep taps flowing. Our customers are some of the UK’s most water efficient already, which we’re really grateful for, so we’re asking for their continued support to help save water where they can. As always, our teams are working round the clock to keep taps flowing across our region, but during hot weather like this, we see a much higher demand for water, which puts pressure on our networks. Please think carefully about your water usage and use less water now, to help make sure that you and your community have enough water to go around."

Easy ways to use less water

• Ditch the hosepipe: A hosepipe uses around five times more water than a watering can. So a simple switch can keep your plants healthy without overwatering them.
• Love your brown lawn: Your lawn is tougher than you think and can easily survive a few days of sunshine. If it desperately needs a drink, make sure to reuse rain or bathwater rather than wasting your drinking water.
• Reuse the pool: Paddling pools use a lot of water. You can easily use less water by not filling it up completely and by scooping out any bugs and leaves before covering it with a fitted bed sheet to keep it fresh for another use.
• Hold off washing your car or patio: Please pack away the pressure washer until the hot weather’s over. Washing a car, patio or decking uses a lot of clean, treated water.
• Make your water work twice as hard: If you’re rinsing food for dinner or a BBQ, don’t let it drain away. Instead collect it in a bowl or jug and use it to feed your indoor or garden plants.