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.

A landmark research study shows the impact of flooding, droughts and heatwaves by 2050-2100 will exceed previous predictions – and could put European cities “beyond breaking point”.

The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee has launched a new inquiry into heatwaves and adapting to climate change.

Southern Water’s Bewl Water reservoir has staged an astonishing recovery thanks to weeks of winter rain - from a low of just under 33 per cent full at the start of December, the level hit 75 per cent on 12 February.

Cities from five continents - Amman, Cape Town, Greater Miami and the Beaches, Hull and Mexico City - have been selected to contribute to the development of a global framework for water resilience.

The Environment Agency has granted Southern Water's application for a precautionary drought permit to aid in refilling Bewl Water.

Portsmouth Water has  launched a new consultation on its updated plans to tackle droughts in West Sussex and Hampshire.

Southern Water is applying to the Environment Agency for a precautionary drought permit at Bewl Water reservoir.

Affinity Water is warning that the risk of drought and water restrictions in 2018 is increasing – the company’s groundwater resources have remained below average all year following the very dry winter in 2016/17.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has launched a major new consultation on the development of a national policy statement for water resources and the types of infrastructure that it will apply to.