water matters

Have We Entered an Era of Water Bankruptcy?

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 conversation also looks at whether we’re already seeing early signs of this in parts of the world — and what can still be done to change course.

Episode 25: Why Managing Rainwater at Home Matters More Than You Think

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 overflows, and why collective action at a household level can have a much bigger impact than most people realise.

Episode 24: One Year Later - The Reality of Water in the UK

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.

Episode 23: What the 2026 Water Matters Yearbook Reveals About Global Water

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.

Episode 22: The Middle East: How the Driest Region Manages Its Water

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 participating in the conversation and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of their respective organisations.
In this episode of Water Matters, Tim Smedley steps in as host to speak with Ahmed Assaf, GRAF’s Area Sales Manager for the Middle East. Drawing on his experience across the region, Ahmed shares insights into how countries in the Gulf and beyond are approaching water — from major infrastructure investment after the Dubai floods, to the role of desalination, stormwater management, and rainwater reuse.

Ep 21: Floods, Droughts and Beavers — Are Nature-Based Solutions the Answer?

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.

Beavers One Year On: How Rewilding Is Reshaping Wetlands

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 what these animals can teach us about restoring nature and managing water in a changing climate.

Old Worlds, New Solutions: Ancient Civilisations and Modern Nations Teach Us About the Water Crisis

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 systems that once sustained entire civilisations and the technologies that could help us do the same today. They also explore emerging UK initiatives—like smart water butts and slow-drain systems—that could ease pressure on overwhelmed sewers and help communities adapt to extremes of drought and downpours.

Why Hosepipe Bans Still Matter — And How Gardeners Are Adapting

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.

From 1976 to Now: Are Britain’s Droughts Getting Worse?

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 water in the UK.