In 2026 all of Wales and three quarters of England are in drought before the middle of August. The water usage of data centres and the huge amount of water wasted through Thames Water leaks due to maintenance failure are amongst the issues in the frame.
50 years ago in 1976 a Drought Act was passed. Speaking in the Commons on 4th August 1976 the Minister responsible Denis Howell addressed amongst other things, how much bath water it was appropriate to use.
In 50 years the message has moved from individual behaviours to corporate lack of responsibility.
In 1976 water was yet to be privatised
We ask people not to use half-empty dishwasters and washing machines but to save up the wash until they have a full load. We ask people to cut down on bath water. I was about to say that they should cut it down to six inches, but I have discovered that one water authority is asking people to use only three inches, which seems even more difficult than what we were asked to do during the war. However, if people can have a shower instead of a bath and use their common sense about the amount of bath water they use, this will be very helpful. Leaky taps are another source of wastage which ought to be dealt with immediately.
Kmflett's Blog 
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