A rare Red Extreme Heat Warning has been issued by the Met Office

The red warning joins the existing Amber Extreme Heat Warnings, which stretch from Monday 22 June through to the end of Thursday 25 June, covering much of southern and central England.

Whilst it was hot yesterday, the heat is set to build further today, with the peak of the heatwave forecast for Wednesday and Thursday this week. Temperatures may reach 39°C with a chance of this being exceeded in places.

We want our customers to remain safe during this period of unusually hot weather.

Please make sure you keep hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids – it’s a good idea to keep a jug of water, or a few filled bottles, in the fridge so you always have cold water available without having to run the tap. Running a tap until the water is cold wastes about four litres each time.

If you’re going out, remember to take water with you.

Thank you for helping us,

The Cambridge Water Team

The heat is not the only thing that’s rising

When the sun comes out and the temperature goes up, typically so does the amount of water used by our customers. This not only has an impact on our work production sites and pumping stations, but also on Cambridgeshire’s precious chalk streams, where we abstract our water from.

To help us – and to protect the environment – during this period of extreme weather, we’re asking you to keep to essential water use only.

Washing your car can probably wait for another day. If plants must be watered, please do so early morning or in the evening, using a watering can. Mulching garden beds will help keep plants hydrated for longer.

You don’t need to water the lawn – it will recover once it rains again.

Water-smart ways to stay cool

Here are a few tips and tricks to maximise cooling efficiency while minimising water evaporation and waste.

Target key cooling points

Use small amounts of water on areas where blood flows close to the skin – wrists, back of neck, temples, inside elbows and behind knees.

These spots help to cool your whole body faster than soaking yourself.

Dip, don’t drench. A few drops will go a long way.

You can also use anything that’s cool, such as a shaded stone, on your pulse points for the same effect.

Efficient evaporative cooling

Lightly dampen a cloth, scarf – even your shirt or a t-shirt. Place it on your neck or head. Sit in a breeze or, if you have one handy, use a fan.

As water evaporates, it pulls heat away from your body.

Cool your extremities

If you have a small container to hand, dip hands or feet briefly in water, then let them air dry.

This uses less water than full-body splashing but still provides cooling.

A rare Red Extreme Heat Warning has been issued by the Met Office