Understand
Lundy Island on the cusp of closure due to severe water shortages
Overview
Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel is facing potential closure and evacuation as it experiences its hottest and driest summer on record, with reservoir levels dropping drastically low. The self-sufficient, National Trust-owned island has received emergency water shipments from the mainland since August and implemented strict water conservation measures, including removing bath plugs, showering with buckets, and pumping water from wildlife ponds as a last resort.
Key points
- Lundy Island is facing possible closure and evacuation unless it receives meaningful rainfall soon.
- The island has experienced its hottest and driest summer on record, with almost no significant rainfall since April and only about 20% of expected rain.
- Reservoir levels dropped to a low of 13% before recovering slightly to 23.7% after pumping water from wildlife ponds.
- Emergency water shipments have been brought in from the mainland via the MS Oldenberg passenger ferry since August.
- Strict water-saving measures include removing bath plugs, closing certain pub toilets, and using bucket showers to reuse water for flushing toilets.
- A landslip in June closed part of the island's track, forcing residents to use a fire hose to pump water past the vulnerable road section to reach the reservoir.