(Image: Yorkshire Water)
Yorkshire Water is urging households to save water as the fifth heatwave of the year drives up demand.
Temperatures are expected to rise above 30C across the region, and the company expects a sharp increase in daily water usage similar to previous heatwaves.
During earlier hot spells this summer, usage reached 1.55bn litres per day—more than 220 million litres above average demand.
Debbie Feldhaus, head of strategic water resources and regional planning at Yorkshire Water, said: "This is the fifth heatwave of the summer, and we know that when temperatures rise, so does demand for water.
"With temperatures set to rise above 30 degrees in the region, we’re preparing for a significant increase in water usage, which will put pressure on our network."
The region is currently in 'prolonged dry weather' status, just one stage below drought conditions, following an extended period of low rainfall and high temperatures.
Reservoir stocks stand at 58 per cent, well below the seasonal average of 73.9 per cent, though higher than the 42.1 per cent recorded at this time in 2025.
Yorkshire Water is encouraging customers to take shorter showers, use watering cans instead of hosepipes, and only run washing machines and dishwashers when full.