02/03/2005 - Low rainfall
during the winter could have a damaging effect
on the environment throughout 2005, the Environment
Agency warned today.
In the South West there are particular concerns
about Dorset and South Wiltshire.
The health of this areas river environment
relies on springs that are fed by groundwater.
This groundwater is naturally recharged during
the winter months by rainfall.
Dorset and South Wiltshire has seen less
than 50 per cent of the long-term average
rainfall during this winter 170 mm rather
than 340mm between November and February.
Indeed, during the recent flooding in Carlisle
more rain fell in 36 hours there than fell
in the last four months in the Dorset area.
On Salisbury Plain, monitoring by the Environment
Agency shows that groundwater has been below
the long-term average for the past 23 months.
Even if there is rainfall during the spring
there is little chance of any significant
replenishing of these groundwater reserves.
Geoff Hardwicke from the Environment Agency
said: "Were monitoring the situation
very closely to assess the likely impact on
the environment and steps that might be taken
to minimise harm. It is now very likely that
the water environment will be under significant
stress during the summer months.
The situation is less acute in the rest of
the South West which includes Cornwall, Devon,
Somerset, Bristol, Bath and parts of Gloucestershire,
but is being closely monitored.
In Devon, where less than 10 per cent of
public water supplies come from underground,
the major groundwater sources have also been
below their long-term average for a similar
period to Dorset and South Wiltshire. Reservoirs
are at a slightly lower level than this time
last year and overall the river levels are
below normal for the time of year.
In Cornwall rainfall in February has varied
between 26 per cent in the far west (Tregwainton)
to 60 per cent in the east (Bastreet). Overall
rainfall for the winter period has been at
65per cent the long term average.
In the north of the region, an area including
Somerset, North Wiltshire and the former Avon
area, over the four months from November to
February there has been only 64 per cent of
the long term average rainfall. Groundwater
levels are below average but not extreme.
Geoff Hardwicke from the Environment Agency
said: "Water is wasted far too carelessly.
It is never too early for people to think
carefully and stop taps dripping or hosepipes
needlessly running. Just switching the tap
off when brushing your teeth can save a vast
amount of water over the year. Experts predict
that climate change will cause summers to
be longer and hotter which will put more strain
on the refilling of rivers and water courses.
We cannot afford to waste this precious resource."
Water saving tips include:
Fit a save-a-flush bag in toilet cisterns
to save a litre each flush available free
from water companies
Use a bucket of water to wash cars instead
of a hose
Take a shower instead of a bath a bath uses
twice as much water as a shower
Turn off taps while brushing teeth, cleaning
vegetables and washing up
Make sure dishwashers and washing machines
are full avoid half loads
Use a water butt in the garden plants prefer
rainwater to tap water
Look out for leaks contact your water company
if you spot one
Log on to www.environment-agency.gov.uk for
more information about water efficiency
