New research by Sanctuary Bathrooms shows Lancaster could be set to see the worst water shortages in the UK as its water stress levels are predicted to increase by over 80% by 2040.
Sanctuary Bathrooms says its new research uncovers which areas across the UK and Europe are expected to experience the highest levels of water stress over the next 20 years.
By 2040, Lancaster is forecasted to see an “extremely high” increase (80%) in its water stress levels, meaning that residents of the city could see a serious public water supply drought.
After Lancaster, the research shows that London, Brighton and Hove, and Leicester are all set to see “high” (40-80%) increases in water stress levels.
The UK could be facing a huge problem with water availability across areas of the country in the coming decades.
Sanctuary Bathrooms says residents in the South and South East of England are more likely to experience an increase in their water stress levels, due to existing and growing population density, along with associated requirements for housing and property developments. This is as well as changing climate conditions and less rainfall than other areas of the UK.
Major UK cities like Manchester, Edinburgh, Liverpool, and Bristol are all predicted to see “medium-high” increases in stress levels by 2040 (20-40%). Whereas Leeds, Glasgow, Sheffield, and Cardiff are predicted to have lower estimated water stress than other UK cities in the next 20 years (10-20 %).
To combat this, the company has highlighted five ways for people in the UK to reduce their water usage at home in the bathroom: stop leaks or upgrade brassware like shower heads and taps, stop flushing unnecessary items down the toilet, take shorter showers, turn off taps when they’re not needed, and take showers instead of baths.
Director at Sanctuary Bathrooms, James Roberts, said: “These shocking findings illustrate that the UK could be facing a huge problem with water availability across areas of the country in the coming decades, and our collective usage is going to have a direct impact on future generations to come.
“Our bathroom habits contribute to this, since maintaining good hygiene uses water in most activities, if not all, as part of our daily rituals. But this is something that extends to other areas of the home, and even our workplaces too. It is vital we raise awareness by highlighting key figures and stats.”
