The scorching summer has led to burst water mains, dwindling supplies, and hosepipe bans across the West of England. On 18 August, a major road in Cheltenham was closed after a burst main sent a "raging river" down the street, threatening homes. Two days later, a burst main near Bristol impacted nearly 1,500 homes, cutting off water for much of the day. Water companies are continually repairing leaks and replacing degrading pipes, but experts are calling for renewed infrastructure and a more resilient approach.