Britain needs to start designing for drought
The cultural assumption that Britain will always have enough water belongs to a different climate. This summer should be the catalyst for designing around the one we now face, says Alastair Chisholm More than two thirds of England is now in drought. Hosepipe bans are widespread and, should they prove insufficient, drought orders may follow. [...]
Britain faces a new reality of drought, with more than two thirds of England now experiencing this water scarcity. The cultural assumption that the country will always have ample water is no longer valid, as our climate has changed. Experts argue that designing with water scarcity in mind is crucial. The UK has already faced three severe droughts in five years, and current measures like hosepipe bans may prove insufficient.
Infrastructure projects like new reservoirs and water transfers could meet only around 30 to 40 per cent of future water demand. Therefore, resilience must be built by rethinking how we design our homes, communities, towns, businesses, and landscapes. Citizens need to become more water-smart, using efficient appliances and embracing water-saving practices.
Communities should also incorporate elements like rain gardens, street trees, and pocket parks to cool urban areas and reduce pressure from intense rainfall. Beyond cities, rebuilding natural resilience in the landscape is essential. This includes rebuilding wetlands, improving soil health, reforesting, and rewetting landscapes to store water upstream.
Government policies can support these efforts through farming schemes, monitoring technology, and promoting resilient approaches. Overall, designing with water should now be a paramount consideration, as water resilience supports not only human needs but also food production, nature, and cherished places.
Written by urgent.news from City AM's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
