Utilities approached ‘breaking point’ during heatwave

Water was among the better prepared of the sectors at the sharp end of the response to last summer’s record hot temperatures but would have experienced “significant challenges” if the heatwave had lasted longer, according to a new study.

The research, conducted by the Place-Based Climate Action Network (PCAN) at the London School of Economics, is based on focus groups and interviews conducted with individuals from local authorities, emergency workers, utility companies and the transport sector.

Their feedback is that resources were at “breaking point” during the fortnight last July when maximum temperatures in the UK exceeded 40 degrees Celsius for the first time on record.

Utilities were among the sectors disrupted by the heatwaves, says the report, which adds that “England is not prepared to manage future extreme heat events, particularly if these were to occur more frequently at the same magnitude and duration”.

Of the sectors most affected by heatwaves, rail transport and water were well prepared, according to the report.

Despite this, workers from both sectors reported that if the heatwave during the 10–25 July period had lasted longer, they would have experienced “significant challenges”.

The report’s recommendations on enhancing preparedness for future heatwaves include water conservation campaigns and scheduled hosepipe pans.

It also says it is vital that heatwave plans should be integrated with other climate adaptation and resilience exercises.

In addition, they should be planned over the long-term, focusing on prevention in addition to short-term responses.

Recommendations to help towns and cities adapt for future heatwaves include increased bodies of water in urban areas and installing solar panels that provide shade.

Cooling systems should also be introduced for critical infrastructure, which can also be made heat-resistant, such as through the provision of sustainable drainage systems, says the report.

Candice Howarth, co-director of PCAN, said: “The government needs joined up thinking when it comes to managing extreme heat in the UK and needs to make large scale changes to policy beyond the newly published UKHSA Adverse Weather and Health plan and consider impacts and responses beyond health across society, if we are going to avoid excess deaths, shocks to the economy and breakdown in public services in this and future summers.”

Responding to the report, a Water UK spokesperson said: “Population growth is increasing customer demand for water just as climate change reduces the amount available. The record-breaking summer last year demonstrated the urgent need to act to deal with these challenges.

“In response, companies have developed plans, up to 2050, for £14 billion of investment in seven new reservoirs, the first of which is already starting construction, as well as cross-country water transfers. This will provide an additional 2 billion litres of water per day.”