The draft data in the map below shows the predicted water supply deficit England would experience if we suffered a baseline drought (the industry’s baseline drought has a 1 in 500 year severity). The data covers the next 25 years and is based on zero intervention by water companies.

Water supply deficits, resulting from poorly managed water resources, have the capacity to harm the environment and reduce the public’s access to water.

In 2022, two of South West Water’s Water Resource Zones were faced with supply deficits. In response, South West Water was granted six drought permits. These permits resulted in the removal of over nine billion litres of extra water from waterbodies in the South West. This could have significant ecological ramifications. Customers in these areas faced a reduced level of service due to Temporary-Use Bans.