The UK is facing a drought which may be worsened by coronavirus.
People avoiding foreign holidays due to 14-day quarantine rules will add pressure to water supplies, fear environment bosses.
Travel companies are already seeing a surge in bookings for UK breaks and staycations for late summer, winter and next year from stay-at-home Brits hankering for a holiday.
Enquiries have sky-rocketed – with tourism chiefs saying they have hit a “record high”.
But this has sparked concerns for water supplies.
Shortages in the North West may be particularly serious and fish have been rescued from drying up river beds in Shropshire.
April was the sunniest on record and May the driest. June is forecast to get warmer but with average monthly rainfall.
Environment Agency chief Harvey Bradshaw, head of the Government’s National Drought Group, said: “We are working with water companies to encourage the public to use less water while also following government hand-washing guidance.”
The group warned of health problems for animals if drinking water is unavailable or disrupted.
Lib Dem MP Layla Moran said: “A drought this summer would be a disaster for farmers.
“The Government needs to make sure we are properly prepared.”
