9-Aug-2006
- Dead ducks and fish, toxic algal blooms and
rivers being reduced to trickles are all becoming
a common sight this summer as the drought takes
its toll on the environment, according to the
Environment Agency.
At more than 100 sites across
England and Wales over the past two months, low
water and oxygen levels have caused fish to gasp
for air, turned ponds green, and stranded several
types of insects that live in water, as rivers
dry up.
In other cases, rivers are silting
up because of low flows, trees are shedding their
leaves earlier than normal, and dry wetlands are
causing problems for breeding waders who use the
wetlands for food sources.
The Environment Agency today
released a map showing the full impact the drought
is having on the environment, particularly in
the south east of England which is still facing
possibly the most serious drought of the past
100 years. (See left side of this page)
Dr David King, Director of Water
Management at the Environment Agency, said that
after two dry winters and the more recent hot,
dry summer weather, the environmental impacts
of the drought were becoming more apparent.
"This drought is not only
affecting people in the way we use water - we've
now seen 21 months of below-average rain and the
environment is suffering too. We're seeing ponds
and rivers drying up, fish becoming stranded and
algal blooms," he said.
"At first, we couldn't
see the impact of the drought around us, as the
real problems were low groundwater levels in the
south east. But the continued lack of rainfall,
low water levels and recent high temperatures
have put pressure on the environment right across
England and Wales.
"It’s now clear that the
impact of the drought is no longer just contained
to the south east of England, where water shortages
were impacting on people's water use. The environmental
problems are much more widespread.
"We're all aware of the
seriousness of this drought, especially in the
south east where almost 13 million are affected
by water restrictions. But if we get a third dry
winter in the south east, and the dry conditions
continue across the rest of England and Wales,
we're going to see our environment suffer even
more.
"It’s our job to make sure
that the impacts of water shortages are balanced
between the environment and people. The Environment
Agency responds immediately to reports of environmental
incidents, carrying out fish rescues, increasing
oxygen levels in water and monitoring water levels.
But sometimes we can all take it for granted that
the water that comes out of our taps ultimately
comes from somewhere in our environment.
"With our water environment
already under pressure, there are no excuses -
we can all do our bit to save water.
"If you do see any environmental
problems, like dead, dying or distressed fish,
please report it to the Environment Agency,"
Dr King said.
Over the past two months, the
Environment Agency has reported:
Outbreaks of Botulism on the
Bear Brook near Aylesbury, west of Oxford, and
Hook Marsh lake in Waltham Abbey, north London,
because low flows and oxygen levels caused the
bacteria, which is only harmful to wildfowl, to
flourish. At least 10 ducks died.
Thousands of dead fish, including
carp and salmon. More than 400 fish of mixed species
died in the River Idle in Mattersey, west of Sheffield,
and 1000 dead small fish were found in the Counter
Drain in Welney, north of Cambridge.
More than 20 fish rescues, including
about 1000 wild brown trout from the River Nadder,
near Salisbury. The fish were moved further downstream.
Aerators being installed in
some rivers, lakes and ponds to help increase
the oxygen and reduce the toxicity of algal blooms.
Several sites are still being monitored to make
sure low water and oxygen levels do not cause
more fish deaths.
Low flows in the Thames, which
means sea water is flowing further up the river
than normal, causing problems for freshwater wildlife.
Wetlands, ponds, rivers and
lakes drying up, affecting the breeding success
of frogs, waders and insects, and some invertebrate
species, such as the mayfly, have not been found
on chalk streams in the south - their normal breeding
ground.
Environmental problems,
including dead, dying or distressed fish, should
be reported immediately by calling 0800 80 70
60 (free 24 hour service).
Head Office Press Office
