UK Drought: Delete Old Emails to Save Water, Government Asks

UK Government Asks Citizens to Delete Emails Amidst Drought

The UK government is urging citizens to delete old emails as part of a national effort to conserve water during a severe drought. Classified as a "nationally significant incident," the drought is impacting various regions of England, prompting the call for collective action. Storing emails and photos in data centers requires significant cooling, which consumes vast amounts of water.

Helen Wakeham, the Environment Agency's director of water, emphasized the importance of individual contributions, stating that deleting old emails and reducing water usage at home can significantly alleviate pressure on water resources. Several regions are experiencing drought conditions, with hosepipe bans in effect for numerous water companies.

Drought-stricken Areas:

• Yorkshire
• Cumbria and Lancashire
• Greater Manchester
• Merseyside and Cheshire
• East Midlands
• West Midlands

Areas with Prolonged Dry Weather:

Northeast, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, East Anglia, Thames, Wessex, Solent and South Downs.

Tips to Conserve Water:

1. Install a rain butt to collect rainwater.
2. Fix leaking toilets.
3. Use kitchen water for plants.
4. Avoid watering lawns.
5. Turn off taps while brushing teeth or shaving.
6. Take shorter showers.
7. Delete old emails and photos.