Dry summer puts Bristol water use in focus as reservoir fundraiser returns

Bristol Water has asked households across the region to check for hidden toilet leaks, saying a single leaking toilet can waste up to 400 litres of water a day [1]. The company said more than 70 per cent of England, including Bristol, has been declared in drought by the Environment Agency after months of record dry and hot weather [1].

The call comes as Exmoor National Park reported its driest summer in 25 years, BBC News Somerset reported [3]. Bristol Water is also promoting a different use of its reservoir: applications opened for the second annual Chew Valley Reservoir Run on 20 September 2026, with tickets costing £15 and all proceeds going to The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital charity [2].