15-May-2006
- Water supplies and the environment in the south
east of England are still at serious risk because
of the drought and not enough action is being
taken by some water companies, people and businesses
to save water, the Environment Agency said today.
Releasing the Drought Prospects
Report - Spring Update, the Environment Agency
again warned that with a hot dry summer, and possibly
the most serious drought in the past 100 years,
there is a real risk of standpipes being introduced
in parts of south east England later this year.
"This is not just a problem
for water companies - people and businesses must
take this warning seriously and act to save more
water," David King, Director of Water Management
at the Environment Agency said.
"Despite some reservoirs
being close to full, more than 70% of the public
water supply in the south east comes from groundwater
- where in some areas, levels are the lowest on
record. Over the last 18 months rainfall has been
much lower than during the 1974-76 drought, and
has been very similar to the serious drought of
1932-34.
"But we're concerned the
message may not be sinking in. Even if we're aware
of the seriousness of this drought we can all
be doing more to minimise the impact of water
shortages on people, the economy, and the environment."
In its report, the Environment
Agency calls on:
Thames Water to step up action
to reduce demand for water. London's water supply
remains at risk this summer and Thames Water should
apply for a drought order immediately to restrict
water use for non-essential activities, as any
further delay will increase the risk of standpipes
later in the year.
Essex and Suffolk Water to introduce a hosepipe
ban by the end of May to reduce the risk of supply
problems later in the year. Without restrictions
in place, reservoir levels could drop very quickly.
All water companies in the south east to work
hard to manage drought this year by providing
clear information on how people and businesses
can save water, applying for non-essential use
bans to restrict some uses of water, and putting
more effort into finding and fixing leaks.
The recommendations follow a report in February
where the Environment Agency called on all water
companies in the south east to introduce hosepipe
bans to help avoid more extreme measures, such
as standpipes and rota cuts. It also recommended
other actions needed by companies and people to
minimise the impact of drought on water supplies
and the environment this summer.
"Most water companies have
made progress on the actions we recommended in
February. Hosepipe bans have been introduced,
drought orders to ban non-essential use of water
are being considered, and more information about
the drought and water saving is being provided
to customers," Dr King said.
"But reservoirs and groundwater
levels are starting to drop, and those water companies
who have not acted to introduce hosepipe bans
or reduce the demand for water are putting water
supplies at an even greater risk.
"We all have a part to
play in saving water. It's not just about water
companies managing water supplies carefully -
people and businesses need to use water sensibly
too."
Dr King said as a result of
two dry winters, this summer there would be more
environmental problems, such as fish deaths and
algal blooms because of low river levels and possibly
restrictions on spray irrigation.
Since October 2005 (as of 8
May 2006), south east England has received about
390mm of rain, or 85% of the average. The long
term average for this period is 450mm. Heavy rainfall
last week increased river flows for a few days
but makes little difference to the long term position.
The drought is most severe in
south east England. However, most of England and
Wales has had a dry winter - only northern England
has approached average rainfall.
The drought is starting to affect
Norfolk and Suffolk, with low groundwater levels
and low river flows. Water companies in the east
of England are monitoring the situation carefully
and should be prepared to take further steps to
manage supply and demand if the drought intensifies.
With hot, dry weather the drought
will spread into other areas. The east of England
and the south Midlands are most vulnerable, but
reservoir levels in Wales and the south west could
also drop quickly this summer. Northern England
is at no higher risk from drought than normal.
The Drought Prospects Report
- Spring Update is available at the Environment
Agency website
