England faces a growing risk of water shortages as hotter, drier summers and rising demand strain rivers and public supplies. The issue is already affecting farmers such as Suffolk grower Daniel Sizer, whose irrigation was restricted to protect depleted rivers, leaving much of his crop damaged.

By 2055, England could face a daily public-water shortfall of five billion litres, driven partly by household use of 136.5 litres per person daily compared with 97 litres in Denmark. Households account for nearly 60% of use, and Waterwise says reducing shower time by one minute each could save almost one billion litres a day by 2050; Denmark’s compulsory metering and higher prices are cited as factors behind lower consumption.