Britain is at risk of facing water rationing within the next decade due to prolonged mismanagement and underinvestment in infrastructure, according to Environment Minister Steve Reed.

In comments published by The i Paper on Monday, Reed said that unless urgent action is taken, the UK could be forced to implement restrictions similar to those seen in drought-prone Mediterranean countries.

“The public had little idea that, by the time of the last general election, we were already on track to face water rationing within ten years,” Reed stated, adding that rebuilding the nation’s water systems is a long-term effort that can’t be resolved within a single five-year term.

He highlighted how soaring demand from water-intensive industries such as battery production and data centers has added pressure to already strained supplies. These facilities, Reed noted, require “huge quantities of water” to function effectively.

If no corrective steps are taken, he warned, the country could soon face scheduled water shutoffs and time-based usage limits.

The warning comes on the heels of the UK’s hottest June on record, with forecasts predicting temperatures above 30°C (86°F) in the coming days.

To address the crisis, the government has committed £104 billion (approximately $136 billion) for infrastructure development over the next five years, following a review by the water regulator Ofwat. The funding is earmarked for new reservoir construction and reducing water loss through leaks.

Still, Reed stressed that meaningful improvements will take time. “We need more than just a five-year plan to undo decades of neglect,” he said.

Other countries have responded to similar water crises with decisive actions. Spain has implemented strict daily water access windows during droughts, Australia uses a tiered ban system, Singapore recycles a significant portion of its water supply through advanced purification technology, and South Korea relies on smart meters to detect leaks and monitor usage in real time.