Water: Drought and flood

This brief provides an overview of the heatwave and drought situation in the UK in 2018, and outlines a number of recommendations for municipalities and the UK government regarding water infrastructure needs and public awareness.

The summer of 2018 has presented the UK with the hottest and driest summer since 1976, a year well remembered for melting tarmac and long, hot summer’s days. The UK experienced average temperatures in June of 19.9ºC, the same as in 1976. When this is combined with June being one of the top five driest Junes on record, and with the dry, hot weather having continued throughout July and set to carry on, concern about how the UK can manage ever-decreasing water availability is increasing.