Writing in the Sunday Times, Sir James Bevan outlined the steps the government, water companies and ordinary people need to take to avoid severe droughts. He said: “Part of the solution will be to reprocess the water resulting from sewage treatment and turn it into drinking water – perfectly safe and healthy, but not something that many people imagine.” Bevan admitted the move would be “unpopular” and reactions on social media were mixed, but said there was a need to “change the way we think about water”. “We have to remember where it comes from: when we turn on the tap, what comes out started in a river, lake or aquifer. The more we take, the more we drain these resources and stress nature and wildlife.” It comes after drought was declared in large parts of England. On Friday, Yorkshire Water joined five water companies in southern England and Wales to enforce a ban on hosepipes due to low water supplies in the region’s reservoirs and rivers. Figures from the UK’s Center for Ecology and Hydrology show that most of southern and eastern England has very dry conditions below ground, brought on by heatwaves and a lack of rainfall. Farmers have warned that dry soil could affect key crops such as potatoes, with the price of potatoes expected to rise next year, Grocer magazine reported. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Bevan, who has been chief executive of the Environment Agency since 2015, called on the government to “show political will” for change and also called on citizens to do what they can to help reduce water waste. “We need to treat water as a precious resource, not a free good. We should be more selective about what we use our drinking water for. No point in using it to clean the car or water the lawn. “Each of us can be part of the solution, starting now. Little things make a big difference. Take a shower, not a bath. Fill the dishwasher or washing machine and only run it when it is full. Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth. Fix leaks: many are in our homes, not in the water company’s pipes. Get a water meter: your company will install one for free. Outside the house, take a bucket of water: plants prefer rainwater. Use a watering can, not a hose, and don’t water the grass – it doesn’t need to. “Use water wisely” is not a slogan. It is a guide on how to survive. Let’s follow it,” he added.
