It’s more the hottest summer in at least 141 years, preceded by the driest spring in 132 years, with the 3 hottest springs all occurring since 2017. In addition, a century of intensive farming has used up the residual groundwater in many places.

A nationalised water system would be just as - if not more - investment averse. Look to the RAAC situation, or British Rail. Privatisation is not the root cause of the drought.