Lucy
Harding - 2-Oct-2006 - Although it is a welcome
sign the drought in the south east is easing,
the decision by Folkestone and Dover Water Services
Ltd to lift the hosepipe ban introduced in April
2006 does not mean the wider drought is over,
according to the Environment Agency.
“Folkestone and Dover Water’s decision to lift
its hosepipe ban is based on the local circumstances
in East Kent where a lot of rain has fallen in
recent months,” said Environment Agency Head of
Water Resources Ian Barker.
“Also, local residents have
listened to and heeded the water saving advice
given out by us and the company. As a result the
local groundwater levels are reasonably healthy.”
The drought in the south east
has been the result of nearly two years of below-average
rainfall, and has led groundwater levels, on which
three-quarters of public water supplies in the
area depend, to fall to very low levels. Some
groundwater monitoring boreholes are at their
lowest recorded levels.
Rainfall in August and September
across the south east has been close to average
and this has been welcome, as it 'prepares the
ground' for the recharge of the region’s underground
aquifers during the winter.
Reservoirs are also at reasonable
levels and certainly better than they were this
time last year. However, the water shortage is
still very acute and the Environment Agency does
not expect the other water companies to lift their
restrictions until they are sure the winter rainfall
will start to replenish the stocks ready for next
summer. In some areas this could several months.
“We have to stress the drought
in the south east is not over. If there is another
dry winter, next year could still be difficult
for the environment and for water,” continued
Mr Barker.
“So we continue to ask everyone
to think very carefully about their water use
and save water wherever they can.”
