Soaring temperatures during this year’s three heatwaves pushed demand from Severn Trent customers up by an extra 400 million litres a day – 20% more than usual levels.
Since the beginning of the first heatwave in May, the company has supplied an extra 2.1 billion litres to homes and businesses, compared to the same period in 2025, which was also hotter and drier than normal.
That’s enough water to fill around 10.5 million domestic garden water butts.
As the third heatwave of the summer comes to an end, Severn Trent Network Operations Lead Howard Perry said: “Demand increased during each of this year’s heatwaves and remains very high, even though the heat is now starting to drop a bit.
“Our teams continue working around the clock, treating more water, moving supplies around our network, and fixing leaks at record levels.
“Severn Trent customers haven’t experienced summer restrictions for more than 30 years, but with the ongoing dry weather, we are asking people to take steps where they can to help reduce ongoing pressure on the supply system.
“There are no restrictions in place in the Severn Trent region, and by using water wisely now, customers can help us keep taps flowing and avoid the need for further measures.
“We serve a population of about 9 million and have 4.7 million domestic and business customers, so small changes made by many people will have a huge impact, and I would like to thank everyone who has been using water wisely.”
Customers are being encouraged to make simple changes, including using a watering can instead of a sprinkler, letting lawns recover naturally, reusing water from paddling pools on plants, and running washing machines and dishwashers with full loads. These small actions can save millions of litres of water and help protect supplies for communities and the environment.
The first heatwave of the year began two months ago, on 22 May, and lasted 10 days. The second – 12 days of often record-breaking temperatures – began on 19 June, and the third started on 4 July, with temperatures only now starting to return to expected levels.
Over that time, an average of 2.1 billion extra litres a day was supplied to sweltering customers, and demand for water continues to be higher than normal.
During the highest single day of increased demand, an extra 400 million litres were needed to keep pace with customers – 20% more than usual.
The higher demand due to the heat was coupled with fluctuations in normal levels as the World Cup played out in the USA. Demand dipped during key games, with fans glued to their TV screens, but rose sharply at half-time and after the final whistle blew.
With many games taking place late at night or early in the morning, demand was often much higher than normal for the time of day.
During England’s key clash with Mexico, with its delayed kick-off, demand was 1.54 million litres higher than normal for a Monday between 2 am and 4 am.
