water matters

Most of us think a flood either happens or it doesn't, but whether your home actually floods often comes down to a few centimetres and how your house is built. In this episode of the Water Matters podcast, Tim Smedley heads to Hull to talk flood resilience with Martin Lennon, Director of Policy and Government Affairs at Flood Re. Martin explains how flood insurance works for homes at high flood ri...

71.3% of England is in official drought, and 2026 is on track to break last year's record-breaking dry spell. In this episode, Matthew Rolph and Tim Smedley unpack the scale of this summer's drought — from wildfire alerts and the worst harvests in a century to farmers feeding cattle their winter stores early. They dig into the government's new "Let's Save Water" public information campaign, warnin...

Most people assume once wastewater is treated, the job is done, but nitrogen and phosphorus left behind can still cause serious harm downstream. In Part 2 of this Water Matters special, host Noonie sits down again with GRAF scientist Danielle to unpack nutrient removal, one of the biggest topics in UK wastewater treatment right now. They cover how ammonia and nitrate are converted through biologic...

Ever wondered what actually happens to your wastewater once it leaves your home? In this episode of Water Matters, host Noonie sits down with Danielle, a scientist at GRAF UK, specialising in biological wastewater treatment and nutrient removal, to break down one of the biggest misconceptions in the industry: wastewater treatment isn't a chemical or mechanical process, it's almost entirely biologi...

Wondering why your water company has banned hosepipes again this summer, and what you're actually still allowed to do?   In this episode of the Water Matters podcast, Matt sits down with Callum from GRAF UK to break down exactly what a hosepipe ban is, why water companies bring them in, and how much water a hosepipe really uses compared to a watering can or bucket.   Head to watermatters.life to f...

The UK has ambitious housing targets. It also has wastewater infrastructure that was designed for a fraction of today's population. Those two things are on a collision course — and the planning decisions made right now will shape the health of our rivers, communities and environment for the next 50 to 100 years. In this episode, host Jake sits down with Noonie from the GRAF technical team to explo...

In this episode of Water Matters, Matt is joined by Tim Smedley to explore some of the world's most fascinating rainwater harvesting ideas. Inspired by viral AI-generated images that turned out to be fake, they uncover the real innovations being used across the globe—from vertical forests in Italy and musical drainpipes in Germany to desert restoration projects in Africa and sponge streets in the...

In this special mid-year edition of Water Matters, Matt reflects on the biggest water stories shaping the UK in 2026 so far. From water security and infrastructure investment to sewage pollution, climate adaptation, and nature-based solutions, this episode takes stock of where we are today and what to watch in the months ahead.

Thinking about finding your nearest refill store? Visit refilluk.org.uk to find refill shops and water top-up stations across the country, or find Nothing But Footprints at nothingbutfootprints.co.uk. Most of us generate around 420 kilos of packaging waste every year — and a lot of it ends up somewhere it was never supposed to be. In this episode, host Jake visits Nothing But Footprints, a refill...

Water is the issue hiding in plain sight — affecting floods, food, health, wildlife, housing and the cost of living, and yet most people only think about it when something goes wrong. This episode is a short introduction to the Water Matters podcast and what it's all about. Host Matthew Rolph explains why the platform exists, what topics it covers, and why water is one of the defining challenges o...

You've probably seen the headlines, but how did the UK sewage scandal actually happen, and why has it taken this long to become front page news? In this episode of the Water Matters podcast, Matt is joined by Tim Smedley, author of The Last Drop, to dig into Channel 4's Dirty Business, the three-part docu-drama that brought the UK's sewage crisis to a mainstream audience. They trace how campaigner...

In this episode of Water Matters, Matt is joined by Tim Smedley to unpack a major new report introducing the concept of “water bankruptcy” — a shift from short-term water crises to long-term, irreversible loss of water systems. They explore what this means in practice, from disappearing lakes and overused aquifers to the potential knock-on effects on food supply and global markets. The conversatio...

In this episode of Water Matters, Matt is joined by Dr Ari Cooper-Davis, Technical Director at Our Rainwater, to explore a different side of water management — what happens when rainwater falls on our homes and streets? They discuss why managing rainwater “where it lands” is becoming increasingly important, how simple changes like water butts and permeable surfaces can reduce flooding and sewer ov...

In this episode of Water Matters, Matt takes a step back to revisit a podcast recorded this time last year — and the differences are striking. From unusually dry conditions and early signs of drought in 2025, to today’s shifting weather patterns, the episode highlights just how quickly the water landscape can change.

In this episode of Water Matters, Jake steps in as host to sit down with Matt and explore the thinking behind the 2026 Water Matters Yearbook, Shared Waters, Unequal Worlds. They break down why the yearbook was created, how it tracks global water challenges year by year, and what this year’s focus on inequality reveals about how water impacts people differently around the world.

Disclaimer This episode of the Water Matters podcast was recorded prior to the current developments in the Middle East. The discussion focuses solely on water management challenges and opportunities in the region and is not related to, nor intended to comment on, any current political or geopolitical events. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the individuals participatin...

Following on from our previous episode at Rushden Lakes, Matt and Tim look back on what’s happened in the year since beavers were reintroduced to Northamptonshire. They discuss what the beavers have changed so far, how they adapted through the drought of 2025, and whether wild releases could play a bigger role in tackling flooding, restoring wetlands, and improving water resilience across the UK.

One year after beavers were reintroduced to this site, Tim Smedley returns to see what’s changed. Joined by Ben from the Wildlife Trust, he explores how the beavers have shaped the landscape — from tree felling and canal building to water storage, habitat creation, and public reaction. Filmed on location, this documentary-style episode offers a grounded look at how rewilding works in practice, and...

In this episode, Callum and author Tim Smedley take a deep dive into why the UK is more water-stressed than most people realise—and how solutions from both the ancient world and modern engineering could transform our future. From Australia’s household rainwater tanks to Mexico City’s ambitious urban schemes, and from Iranian qanats to forgotten cisterns in Europe, this conversation uncovers the sy...

Host Callum sits down with videographer Luke to discuss the ongoing hosepipe bans across the UK and the growing impact on everyday gardeners. They share customer stories from Yorkshire and Oxfordshire, show how reservoirs are visibly struggling, and explore practical ways people are collecting and re-using rainwater at home.

Host Matt is joined by author Tim Smedley to ask: was the summer of 1976 really as bad as we remember, or are today’s droughts even tougher? They compare two generations of water scarcity, discuss how Britain’s weather and infrastructure have shifted, and explore what needs to change — from national reservoirs to home rainwater harvesting. A clear-eyed look at nostalgia, climate, and the future of...

📘 In this special episode of Water Matters, we dive into the launch of the very first Water Matters Yearbook 2025 — a new annual publication designed to raise awareness and spark meaningful conversations about the state of water globally. We’re joined by Damian and Shaun, the creators of the Yearbook, to discuss why it was created, the insights it reveals about water challenges around the world,...

15 episodes in — and it's time to pause, reflect, and look ahead. In this behind-the-scenes special, the Water Matters team steps in front of the mic to revisit the journey so far. We dive into six of the most important and still-relevant topics we've covered — the moments that sparked conversation, changed perspectives, and pushed us to think differently about water. Whether you've been with us s...

In this episode of the Water Matters Podcast, host Matthew Rolf unpacks everything you need to know about rainwater harvesting. We cover why it matters, how it works, and the pros and cons of above vs. below-ground tanks. Plus, hear expert tips from the Graf UK team on filtration, retrofitting systems, and the smartest ways to use harvested rainwater at home. Whether you’re a homeowner or self-bui...

Should you stop mowing your lawn in May? In this episode, journalist Tim Smedley joins us to explore No Mow May—why letting your grass grow can save water, boost biodiversity, and make your garden more climate-resilient. We dig into the link between garden habits, drought risk, and how skipping the mower helps both pollinators and the planet. If you're into sustainable gardening, climate action at...