Although we have seen an increase in heavy rainfall and flooding in recent times, when we are faced with extended periods of hot and dry weather, there is a big increase in the demand for treated water. By the end of May 2020, demand was about 400 million litres of water a day – the equivalent of 160 Olympic-sized (50-metre) swimming pools. This is around 100 million litres more than a ‘normal’ spring day.

Other factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, can see more people at home than normal, taking advantage of the good weather to water their garden, wash their car and fill the paddling pool for their children to enjoy.

Our water resources are good and we’ve got enough water to meet this demand from customers, but climate change could cause more extremes of weather, including hotter, drier summers. We also know that water is a precious and finite resource, and that we all need to do our bit to ensure reliable supplies of clean, high-quality water now, for our children and for our grandchildren.

Extended periods of hot, dry weather can affect large parts of the country. Most of the water companies in England and Wales also ask their customers to save water where they can.

We can’t force customers to have a meter, but we do encourage more customers to choose to have a water meter fitted, especially as they can try it for two years to decide if it’s better for them.

There are a number of benefits to being on a water meter. It’s the fairest way to pay, as you only pay for the water you use, and it gives you more control over your water usage. It can also help you to identify leaks in your home, as a higher than usual meter reading can reveal a problem, which you can discuss with us straight away.

We continually monitor our reservoirs and other water sources, to ensure that they remain in a healthy position. If our water sources were affected, for example during a period of extended drought, we may need to introduce temporary use bans – usually called hosepipe bans.

We are a regulated water company. That means we have a licence from the regulator Ofwat to supply clean water to all of our customers. Every five years, Ofwat sets the price, service and investment package for each water company which is reflected in the bills customers pay.

Once these things are set, it means that customers’ bills are also set and can only rise by the rate of inflation. As part of our settlement from Ofwat for the five years to 2025, our average customer bills will fall by around 10%.

One of the ways you could pay less by saving water is by switching to a water meter. On average, customers with a water meter can save around £100 a year.

We always plan for the long-term. Every five years we consult on and publish a water resources management plan. This sets out how we will provide you with reliable and sustainable water supplies over the next 25 years. It also describes how we will manage our water resources and maintain the balance between supply and demand.

We also consult on and publish a drought plan, which sets out how we will manage our water resources during dry years. It sets out how we will minimise the impact our activities have on the environment and the triggers for different levels of actions we can take in the event of a drought.

Yes. Over the five years to 2025, we will invest around £63 million to upgrade our Hampton Loade and Seedy Mill Water treatment works. This is critically important for us as these works supply clean, high-quality water to 60% of customers in our South Staffs region.

As we’ve seen in recent times, demand for water among households is increasing. Climate change is likely to result in more extreme weather, including hotter, drier summers and wetter winters. In our water resources management plan, we consider options for different scenarios over a 25-year time frame and beyond.

Our customers have told us that they prefer us to focus on reducing demand, rather than building large-scale new water supply sources like reservoirs. So that means reducing leakage, offering water efficiency advice and education, and more water meters. They were also strongly against us drilling new underground boreholes because of the environmental impact. Instead, customers said they would prefer us to bring back existing boreholes to help meet long-term demand. We’re about to start a new round of engagement with customers to understand if these views have shifted.

In addition, we’re a leading member of the Water Resources West group, working in partnership with a wide range of organisations to consider regional options for sustainable, long-term water supplies.