Water chiefs have warned next summer in Norfolk could be even hotter than this year, prompting worried councillors to question whether proper preparations are being made.
This summer saw a drought declared in Norfolk and a hosepipe ban, stopping people from using hosepipes to water gardens, clean vehicles, or fill paddling pools.
A series of heatwaves saw a new June record set in Norfolk when thermometers recorded a peak of 38C at Lingwood, while the Met Office said it was the warmest summer in the UK since records began in 1884.
And, at a meeting of Norfolk County Council's infrastructure and development committee, officials from Anglian Water, which provides water to the bulk of people in Norfolk, were quizzed by councillors about preparations for next year.
Green county councillor Tom Ludson questioned why the company's draft drought plan for 2027 to 2032 made no reference to El Nino events, which occur when sea-surface temperatures in parts of the tropical Pacific become warmer than average.
That can affect weather patterns in Europe and forecasters say one of the strongest El Nino events on record is developing, which could bring a wet and stormy winter, but also the hottest 2027 on record.
Grant Tuffs, senior policy and public affairs lead for Anglian Water, told councillors: "We are very mindful of the impact of climate on our assets, hence our business plan is moving towards asset resilience and asset health improvements because of the changing world we live in.
"But we are stuck in this five year business planning investment cycle, so short-term hits like we've seen this summer, you couldn't have predicted the impact of that, necessarily.
"We might have a dry or wet winter, so it could impact next summer. If you read the El Nino predictions, we are looking at an even hotter summer next year than this year, so our planners and asset teams will be looking hard into what we can do to mitigate the impacts of that next year.
"That will be resources, that will be investment and preparedness and checking our assets ahead of those climate impacts."
Mr Ludson responded it was "very likely" El Nino would happen over the period of the draft drought plan.
After the meeting, he said: "What really worries me is that Anglian Water doesn't seem to be preparing properly. We know El Nino happens every two to seven years, but the draft drought plan doesn't even mention it."
Mr Tuffs also told the meeting he could not give a date for the end of the hosepipe ban, but that it could continue into winter.
Share