Panorama
 
 
 
   
 
 

SOUTH EAST WATER SITUATION WORSENS AS DRY WEATHER CONTINUES

Environmental Panorama
London – UK
June of 2005

 

28/06/2005 - Despite recent thunderstorms, the Environment Agency warns that if the dry weather continues and water demand does not reduce, more water companies will need to impose water supply restrictions such as sprinkler and hosepipe bans.
The South East of England has had the driest winter since 1976. The region has experienced eight consecutive months of below average rainfall. A dry spring followed by a hot dry start to summer has resulted in low groundwater, river and reservoir levels.
Of the eight water companies* in the South East of England, two have so far imposed water restrictions. More will need to follow if the weather stays dry in order to maintain supplies through the summer and avoid more serious water shortages later this year or next summer.

Ian Barker, Head of Water Resources for the Environment Agency, said:

"We are working closely with the water companies to manage the impact of the current drought on the public and the environment - as people use more water, more has to be taken from the water environment. Where it is appropriate and necessary we support water companies imposing appropriate restrictions to help safeguard future water supplies and protect the environment.
"This month, so far, we have only received 29 per cent of average rainfall in Kent, 17 per cent in Sussex and 41 per cent in Hampshire. The Thames catchment has had 24% of the long term average. There has been a high demand for water, placing even greater pressure on this valuable resource. We are urging the public to take note of advice issued by the Environment Agency and water companies to save water."

Everyone can contribute by taking simple steps in the home, at work and in the garden. There are a number of ways people can avoid wasting water:

• Limit non-essential use such as washing the car.

• Don't water the lawn. It may turn brown, but grass is resilient and it will grow back. Garden sprinklers can use as much water in an hour as a family of six uses in a day.

• Install a water-saving device in the toilet cistern. Between 30 and 40 per cent of household water is flushed down the toilet, and installing a volume reducer such as a
'Hippo' can make substantial savings.

• Take a five-minute daily shower instead of a bath. This is likely to use a third of the water, saving up to 400 litres a week.

• Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. A running tap uses almost 9 litres/minute.

• A dripping tap can waste up to 30 litres a day - check all taps on basins, baths and bidets for drips and replace washers as necessary.

Ian Barker concluded, "We have a difficult job this summer to ensure that water companies are able to protect water supply to homes and businesses and at the same time protect the environment. In a situation such as this one, both the public and the environment must share the difficulties. Using water wisely will help significantly."

 
 

Source: Environment Agency – United Kingdom (http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk)
Press consultantship
(National Press Office)
All rights reserved

 
 
 
 

 

Universo Ambiental  
 
 
 
 
     
SEJA UM PATROCINADOR
CORPORATIVO
A Agência Ambiental Pick-upau busca parcerias corporativas para ampliar sua rede de atuação e intensificar suas propostas de desenvolvimento sustentável e atividades que promovam a conservação e a preservação dos recursos naturais do planeta.

 
 
 
 
Doe Agora
Destaques
Biblioteca
     
Doar para a Agência Ambiental Pick-upau é uma forma de somar esforços para viabilizar esses projetos de conservação da natureza. A Agência Ambiental Pick-upau é uma organização sem fins lucrativos, que depende de contribuições de pessoas físicas e jurídicas.
Conheça um pouco mais sobre a história da Agência Ambiental Pick-upau por meio da cronologia de matérias e artigos.
O Projeto Outono tem como objetivo promover a educação, a manutenção e a preservação ambiental através da leitura e do conhecimento. Conheça a Biblioteca da Agência Ambiental Pick-upau e saiba como doar.
             
       
 
 
 
 
     
TORNE-SE UM VOLUNTÁRIO
DOE SEU TEMPO
Para doar algumas horas em prol da preservação da natureza, você não precisa, necessariamente, ser um especialista, basta ser solidário e desejar colaborar com a Agência Ambiental Pick-upau e suas atividades.

 
 
 
 
Compromissos
Fale Conosco
Pesquise
     
Conheça o Programa de Compliance e a Governança Institucional da Agência Ambiental Pick-upau sobre políticas de combate à corrupção, igualdade de gênero e racial, direito das mulheres e combate ao assédio no trabalho.
Entre em contato com a Agência Ambiental Pick-upau. Tire suas dúvidas e saiba como você pode apoiar nosso trabalho.
O Portal Pick-upau disponibiliza um banco de informações ambientais com mais de 35 mil páginas de conteúdo online gratuito.
             
       
 
 
 
 
 
Ajude a Organização na conservação ambiental.