Story perspectives

Heatwave Cuts Water to 20,000 UK Homes — £11B Adaptation Needed

6/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

A record-breaking heatwave in late May left thousands of southeast England homes without water.
South East Water reported over 20,000 households in Kent and Sussex lost water on Friday.
The company pumped 628 million litres on Wednesday, roughly 100 million litres above the seasonal average.
Water minister Emma Hardy warned companies to prepare for more frequent extreme-heat periods, noting the Climate Change Committee estimates Britain needs about £11 billion a year to adapt.

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Story summary

A record-breaking heatwave in late May left thousands of southeast England homes without water.
South East Water reported over 20,000 households in Kent and Sussex lost water on Friday.
The company pumped 628 million litres on Wednesday, roughly 100 million litres above the seasonal average.
Water minister Emma Hardy warned companies to prepare for more frequent extreme-heat periods, noting the Climate Change Committee estimates Britain needs about £11 billion a year to adapt.