an intersting programme yesterday on radio 4
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001b45sThe Briefing Room
Fighting drought
Released On: 18 Aug 2022
Available for over a year

Despite recent heavy rainfall, much of England is experiencing drought conditions. Both rivers and reservoirs are running low, and the water companies have told millions to stop using their hosepipes.

Scientists warn that the current difficulties are only a glimpse of the much tougher challenges the UK will face in the future because of climate change. They estimate that there's a one-in-four chance of a drought which is so severe that drinking water has to be restricted.

Joining David Aaronovitch in The Briefing Room are:
Sir John Armitt, Chairman of the UK's National Infrastructure Commission
Dr Heather Smith, Senior Lecturer in Water Governance at Cranfield University
Jean Spencer, Director of The Water Industry Forum
Sir Dieter Helm, Professor of Economic Policy at Oxford University

Producers: Bob Howard, Kirsteen Knight and Simon Watts. Editor: Richard Vadon. Studio Manager: Graham Puddifoot. Production co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed & Helena Warwick-Cross


Doug CHADWICK, Building new reservoirs is one of several options, another option is saline treatment plants. and repairing infrastructure IT BECOMES A QUESTION OF NATIONAL INTERST over personal.
Nationalistaion of water companies is another option.
All the time the water companies are privately owned, they have to be profitable, that means only a certain amount of money can be spent on repairing infra structure, or and people have to pay more in charges. This is at a time when inflation is rising, increasing water charges would result in a stagnation of the economy, as peoples spending power is reduced, so imo better to fix leaks and improve water infrastructure, and try keynsian econmics to boost the economy