The Government is being warned that England’s homes and businesses could face having their water supplies cut off in times of severe drought, if the water industry does not improve infrastructure and water efficiency.

A new UN report on the state of the world’s water is warning that 5 billion people could be facing water shortages by 2050 as a result of increased demand, pollution and climate change.

A landmark research study shows the impact of flooding, droughts and heatwaves by 2050-2100 will exceed previous predictions – and could put European cities “beyond breaking point”.

The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee has launched a new inquiry into heatwaves and adapting to climate change.

Southern Water’s Bewl Water reservoir has staged an astonishing recovery thanks to weeks of winter rain - from a low of just under 33 per cent full at the start of December, the level hit 75 per cent on 12 February.

Cities from five continents - Amman, Cape Town, Greater Miami and the Beaches, Hull and Mexico City - have been selected to contribute to the development of a global framework for water resilience.

The Environment Agency has granted Southern Water's application for a precautionary drought permit to aid in refilling Bewl Water.

Portsmouth Water has  launched a new consultation on its updated plans to tackle droughts in West Sussex and Hampshire.

Southern Water is applying to the Environment Agency for a precautionary drought permit at Bewl Water reservoir.

Affinity Water is warning that the risk of drought and water restrictions in 2018 is increasing – the company’s groundwater resources have remained below average all year following the very dry winter in 2016/17.