02/03/2006 - Wales has
had a dry winter, with about 85% of average
rainfall since October 2005. Despite this,
reservoirs are close to full. We do not
expect to see environmental problems or
difficulties with public water supply in
Wales this year unless the summer is exceptionally
hot and dry. At the moment reservoirs in
Wales are all over 92% full. As the majority
of public water supply abstractions in Wales
come from reservoir and river abstractions,
lower than average groundwater levels are
not a major issue for water companies in
Wales.
Nevertheless we still need to use our water
wisely. There are some very simple measures
you can take to reduce water use and reduce
the likelihood of resource problems in Wales
this summer.
If everyone in Wales turned off their taps
for just one minute when brushing their
teeth this would save enough water to fill
six Olympic sized swimming pools every day!
Taking a 5-minute shower rather than a bath
will save 9 litres of water per person per
day. This would save over 3200 litres during
a year and would provide water for one person
for nearly 22 days (based on using 152 litres
a day).
In the south east of England the Environment
Agency has called on all water companies
to introduce hosepipe bans from next month
to help avoid more extreme measures, such
as standpipes and rota cuts, in the summer.
In what could be one of the most serious
droughts to affect the south east of England
in the last 100 years, the Environment Agency’s
2006 Drought Prospects report recommends
actions needed by water companies and people
to minimise the impact of drought on water
supplies and the environment this summer.
To find out more about conserving water
have a look at http://www.envirowise.gov.uk/
The 2006 Drought Prospects report is available
at www.environment-agency.gov.uk
