Yorkshire Water has urged customers to reduce their consumption as a fifth summer heatwave is expected to push temperatures above 30C and place further strain on supplies. The appeal matters because water demand is already at record levels while the region remains in prolonged dry weather status, despite reservoir levels being higher than a year ago.

The company recorded 39 days this summer when daily use exceeded 1.4 billion litres, the most on record, and expects that threshold to be surpassed again this week. Reservoir stocks stand at 58%, compared with 42.1% at this point in 2025 but below the seasonal average of 73.9%; Yorkshire Water says a hosepipe ban is not expected this summer and suggests shorter showers, avoiding hoses and only running full appliances.