Risk of drought in UK grows after unusually dry start to spring
The risk of drought is increasing after an unusually dry start to spring pushed river flows, groundwater and reservoir stores below normal levels across much of the country, particularly central and southern England.
latest official hydrological viewThe report, published this week, warns that the remainder of the month is likely to see “below normal or significantly lower river flows across central southern England” and could last into July.
in it monthly national report Regarding the water situation across the country, the government acknowledged that “April was the second dry month in a row, with most of the country receiving below-average rainfall.”
Meanwhile, east and south-east England recorded its driest April since 2011.
According to Met Office figures, rainfall across the country in April was 23 percent below average.
The lack of rainfall means that the lack of soil moisture is now being felt across the country, but most acutely in the south and east, while “monthly average river flow decreased in all indicator areas in April”. This has caused rivers in these areas to remain below normal levels for this time of year.
Groundwater levels have also fallen almost everywhere, the government said, noting that reservoir storage levels have fallen overall but still largely remain slightly above average for this time of year.
While the drought has not yet begun and more rain is expected in May, farmers are already worried about water shortages in the south and east.
In Cambridgeshire, the county council’s Environment and Green Investment Committee was informed in April this year that existing water supplies would not be able to meet future agricultural and domestic demand.
A £1.38 million grant scheme has been launched across the county to help farmers improve water efficiency. Meanwhile, infrastructure projects, including the proposed Fens Reservoir, are now planned for the 2030s to secure future water supplies in the highly water-stressed region.
Southern Water, a supplier to 2.7 million customers in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, which recently pleaded guilty to five offenses relating to the discharge of sewage between 2019 and 2021 – just after the company was handed a record fine for illegally discharging sewage – said supplies were good despite April and May being dry.
The region received only 20 percent of the long-term average rainfall in April and only 15 percent so far in May.
The company said the reservoir storage rate is 92 percent and most rivers and groundwater reservoirs are stable and in a better position than last year.
“We constantly monitor river and reservoir levels so that when we experience drier spells, as seen throughout April, we ensure we are using water as efficiently as possible to maximize the efficient use of water resources,” a Southern Water spokesperson said. Independent.
“While we have seen a very dry spell since early March, our reservoir storage remains strong and the majority of river and groundwater levels in our region are now stable. We are beginning preparations to respond to drought risk early to help minimize the impact on customers and the environment.”
