Welsh Water Warns of Emergency Restrictions Due to Record Demand

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water is urging customers and visitors to reduce water usage after prolonged hot and dry weather drove demand to unprecedented levels. For seven consecutive days, the utility has supplied over 1,000 megalitres daily, representing a sustained increase of more than 17% above normal levels. This surge has prevented treated water storage from replenishing overnight, placing significant pressure on treatment works and the distribution network.

The company identified Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Hereford as the most affected areas. While reservoirs remain sufficiently full, the high demand is threatening the resilience of local supplies. To maintain current flow, Welsh Water is operating treatment works at maximum capacity, deploying repair teams around the clock, and utilizing its tanker fleet 24/7.

Chief Customer Officer Kit Wilson stated that the company is doing everything possible to keep water flowing but warned that emergency restrictions may be considered if demand does not decrease. Wilson noted that small changes by a large number of people could save millions of litres and help stabilize the network.