Irish Water has confirmed that a National Water Conservation Order - commonly referred to as a hosepipe ban - will be in place from 8am today until midnight on Tuesday 31 July 2018.

Water industry regulator Ofwat is calling on the water companies to up their game on water resource management and expressed disappointment that water companies’ draft water resources plans have fallen short of expectations. 

The GMB Congress Conference has dismissed “notions of a ¯market for water for households as irrelevant” and called on “all concerned to recognise that water is a natural monopoly.”

GMB, the water union, has criticised the government’s proposal - reflected today in the Environment Agency report on water resources in England - to agree an individual daily personal water consumption target.

A garden designed to thrive in the water-stressed south east will be showcased at next week’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show by Thames Water and Garden Club London.

With climate change and a growing population likely to place ever greater strains on vital water resources, a new report released today by water sector regulator Ofwat explores the potential options to help cut demand for water over the next 50 years.

Thames Water chief executive Steve Robertson has welcomed today’s report by the National Infrastructure Commission which is warning the Government that England faces taps running dry without urgent infrastructure improvements.

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.

SES Water is aiming to increase the number of homes with water meters in its region from 52% to 90% as part of plans to secure future water supplies.

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.