Swathes of northern England could run out of water by 2035, report warns

Climate change, overuse and growing population makes drought more likely, think tank says

People need to use less water and companies must curb leaks to prevent future water shortages IPPR North has warned (Rui Vieira/PA Wire)

Swathes of northern England could regularly run out of usable water by 2035, a report has warned.

Demand for the wet stuff is set to outstrip supply by 2035 in Yorkshire and its surrounding areas, the Institute for Public Policy Research North think tank claims.

Reductions in annual rainfall caused by global warming contrasted with a growing population could lead to severe shortages and regular droughts, it says in its Natural Assets North study.

Leakages and overuse could exacerbate the problem.

“Although much of the north – unlike parts of the south of England – is not considered water stressed, the region’s water security cannot be taken for granted,” the report states. “There are very limited opportunities to substantially increase the supply of water, for example by building new reservoirs, because of a lack of water availability, abstraction limitations, and the likely impact upon the natural environment.

“Instead, to ensure the region remains water resilient, we will have to make better use of our existing water supply by managing demand, reducing leakage and encouraging greater efficiency.”

Water security has long been viewed as an issue for London and the southeast where demand already outstrips local supplies in dry years.

But the report warns the wetter North must not be complacent about its own natural assets.

It says that infrastructure projects and the region’s economy, as well as the population’s general health, are at risk if action is not taken to secure its supplies.

Jack Hunter, author and research fellow at IPPR North, said: “This is a shared problem that requires shared solutions. Water companies need to deliver on their plans to dramatically reduce leakages, and households, businesses and political leaders all need to treat water much more responsibly in future.”

But he added the North East and North West would remain well-stocked for decades to come and could, with advanced management schemes, supply other regions in future years of shortage.

The Environment Agency has previously warned that England could run short of water within 25 years unless drastic action is taken to stop leaks, improve efficiency in the home and transform public attitudes.

Yorkshire Water said people’s daily usage could be significantly cut by adopting water saving techniques.

A spokesperson said: “By being more water efficient this also helps ease the pressure on local rivers and reservoirs, creating more stable environments for the wildlife that lives there.

“We also aim to do our part by reducing leakage by 15 per cent by 2020.”