Population growth and an increased thirst for clean water…
…have led to water shortages in the UK and globally.
As population numbers soar and global warming makes weather patterns unpredictable, water for drinking and farming is becoming scarce. The scarcity of water has already led to rising tensions and conflict in the dry plains of India and in certain parts of Africa.
Water shortage is having a more limited impact in the UK. But it is still having an effect.
Parts of the UK ran close to a severe drought in 2012 when a dry winter prompted the Environment Agency to warn of spreading drought.
Just last week, the London Assembly’s Environment Committee warned that the capital faces severe water shortages and an acute risk of flooding from overflowing sewage if they fail to take action to ensure more sustainable development.
Water scarcity is more severe in parts of the UK. Rising population, more households and greater wealth have led to a greater demand for water in the south of England. However, other affluent areas of the country have felt the pinch of limited water supply.
Cheshire is also at risk because of a high concentration of golf courses and sprawling sprinkler systems. These are major culprits in the water shortage debate.
Things you can do in the home to protect the UK’s water supply
Advice from the Environment Agency.
Kitchen
- fix dripping taps
- turn off the tap between rinsing dishes
- only fill the kettle with the water you need
- buy water-efficient dishwashers and washing machines
Bathroom
- turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
- take shorter showers
- put a water-saving bag in the cistern
- fit a flow regulator or an aerated shower head
- fit flow regulators or aerators to taps
Garden
- use a watering can or bucket and sponge, not a hosepipe
- put a water butt in the garden
Others
- install a leak detector
- insulate water pipes
Artificial grass can help save water
Artificial grass doesn’t brown and die when it’s sunny so there’s no need to waste water on it. Artificial grass is also permeable so it doesn’t block the water cycle.
The fake grass business is booming in California, where people have struggled with the water supply for decades.
The Guardian suggests that live grass takes 2,200 litres of water per year to sustain itself. And when the state governor called a state of emergency last year, many middle-class families and celebrities decided to make the switch to artificial turf.
One of the impacts of the UK water shortage, as well as a water market that will soon be deregulated, is that water prices could increase.
If you have a large garden with a comprehensive sprinkler system, then this could quickly become unaffordable. Under such circumstances, investment in Cheshire Artificial Grass could make sense.
