The South West has today moved to environmental
drought status after months of exceptionally low rainfall.
Water companies have confirmed that public water supplies are currently unaffected, but the lack of rain is taking its toll on the environment, causing problems for wildlife and wetlands.
Water companies are modifying their
operations in response to the dry weather, urging customers to use water
efficiently and increasing efforts to manage leaks. But at present there are no
plans for water supply restrictions in the South West, such as hosepipe bans.
The South West has today moved to environmental
drought status after months of exceptionally low rainfall.
Water companies have confirmed that public
water supplies are currently unaffected, but the lack of rain is taking its
toll on the environment, causing problems for wildlife and wetlands.
The South West region covers Cornwall Devon , Dorset, Somerset Bristol South Gloucestershire , parts of Hampshire and most of
Wiltshire.
There have been
two successive dry winters in the South West and 16 of the last 25 months have
had below average rainfall. The cumulative rainfall total since October 2010 is
the lowest for the same period since 1921/22 and is the second driest on
record.
Since October 2011 there has been
only 71 per cent of the rainfall normally expected. In February, it was less than 40 per cent and
in March just 35 per cent.
All river flows are now much lower
than expected for the time of year. Groundwater levels are also very low and
starting to impact on rivers, such as chalk streams, with flows more typical of
May than March. Reservoir levels are stable but below average.
Water companies are modifying their
operations in response to the dry weather, urging customers to use water
efficiently and increasing efforts to manage leaks. But at present there are no
plans for water supply restrictions in the South West, such as hosepipe bans.
‘The whole of the South West has
moved into environmental drought status, reflecting the impact that this extended
dry period is having on the environment and we are asking everyone to use water
wisely,’ said Ben Johnstone, Strategic Drought Manager for the Environment
Agency in the South West.
‘The amount of water we all use has
a direct effect on the amount of water available in rivers and for wildlife.’
‘The Environment Agency work to balance
the water needs of people, farmers, businesses and the environment and we are
working with all sectors to plan ahead to meet the challenges of a continued
environmental drought.’
The
Environment Agency’s latest drought prospects report (which considers the
possible impacts of drought through the spring and summer 2012) can be viewed
online at: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/drought/31749.aspx
The
Environment Agency is in regular contact with the National Farmers Union, Country Land
