Post by Hoppy on Feb 25, 2006 9:45:30 GMT -1
Drought outlook calls for cut in south east England’s water use
The Environment Agency today called on all water companies in the south east of England 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.
Barbara Young, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, said the drought in south east England had started in November 2004 and had continued through winter.
“We’re in a serious situation now, where both the environment and our water supplies are at risk.
“There is still time for rain this winter and spring to reduce the risk of drought, but water companies shouldn’t just hope for rain – they must act now in case the weather stays dry.
“Groundwater levels in some areas are the lowest on record and rainfall during winter has been the lowest since the drought of 1920-22. We’re seeing an impact on the environment, where fish spawning in some areas has been poor, and we’re concerned that we may soon see fish dying because of low river levels.
“The last 15 months (October 2004-January 2006) has been the driest period in some areas in the south east since 1921. Even with average rainfall for the rest of winter and spring, managing water supplies will be difficult in much of the south east.
“If water companies delay introducing hosepipe bans now, extreme steps to manage water supplies over summer may be needed, such as standpipes and rota cuts,” Barbara Young said.
In its report, the Environment Agency is calling on all water companies in south east England to:
- Introduce hosepipe bans from early April at the latest
- Ban water use for non-essential activities such as washing windows and watering parks before applying for drought permits or orders to take more water from rivers and groundwater
- Increase leakage control activity to make sure leaks are found and fixed as quickly as possible, reducing the water wastage
- Provide clear information and advice to customers and large industrial water users on the severity of the drought and how they can save water.
The Environment Agency will also step up its responsibilities in minimising the impact of drought on the environment, while making sure that there is enough water for people, by:
- Monitoring water companies’ activities to make sure they take all possible steps to manage drought
- Increasing monitoring of rainfall, river flows, groundwater levels and the environment
- Restricting spray irrigation where necessary and using river support schemes to maintain flows and protect wildlife.
- Reporting publicly on the impact of the drought on the environment and wildlife
The Environment Agency has not ruled out applying for drought orders on behalf of water companies if companies are not acting to protect supplies.
“London and parts of the south east already have a shortage in water supply. In a long drought, there is not enough water to go around. We are urging water companies to make the best use of the water resources they have, and to help their customers save water.
“We think householders need incentives to save, such as compulsory metering in areas where there are water shortages. And we need campaigns by water companies to encourage water savings.
“If everyone in England and Wales saved four litres a day by turning off the tap while brushing their teeth, it would be enough water to supply more than 600,000 homes every day,” Barbara Young said.
Looking at the long-range weather prospects, Dr Richard Graham from the UK Met Office said: “There are significant uncertainties in seasonal prediction but temperatures across the UK to the end of April are likely to be warmer than average. In terms of rainfall, it looks as though it could be drier than normal in the north, but there are equal probabilities of dry, normal or wet weather for the south of the country.”
The 2006 Drought Prospects report looks at possible predictions if only 60% of the average rain falls between now and April:
- In Kent and Sussex, there could be widespread restrictions on water use, restrictions on spray irrigation for farmers, and environmental impacts such as fish dying and streams drying up
- In the rest of the south east, including London, the Thames Valley, Essex and south Cambridgeshire, there could be restrictions on non-essential uses such as watering gardens
- In the rest of England and Wales, there may be localised problems, such as low river levels, but these areas are at a lower risk of drought during summer.
Water companies in the south east include Essex and Suffolk Water, Folkestone and Dover Water, Mid Kent Water, Portsmouth Water, South East Water, Southern Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Thames Water and Three Valleys Water.
Hosepipe and sprinkler bans are already in place in some parts of the south east. Currently, Southern Water has two drought permits in place.
So far since October 2005 (as of 20 February), south east England has received about 280mm of rain. The long term average for this period is 380mm.
The 2006 Drought Prospects report is available at www.environment-agency.gov.uk
The Environment Agency today called on all water companies in the south east of England 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.
Barbara Young, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, said the drought in south east England had started in November 2004 and had continued through winter.
“We’re in a serious situation now, where both the environment and our water supplies are at risk.
“There is still time for rain this winter and spring to reduce the risk of drought, but water companies shouldn’t just hope for rain – they must act now in case the weather stays dry.
“Groundwater levels in some areas are the lowest on record and rainfall during winter has been the lowest since the drought of 1920-22. We’re seeing an impact on the environment, where fish spawning in some areas has been poor, and we’re concerned that we may soon see fish dying because of low river levels.
“The last 15 months (October 2004-January 2006) has been the driest period in some areas in the south east since 1921. Even with average rainfall for the rest of winter and spring, managing water supplies will be difficult in much of the south east.
“If water companies delay introducing hosepipe bans now, extreme steps to manage water supplies over summer may be needed, such as standpipes and rota cuts,” Barbara Young said.
In its report, the Environment Agency is calling on all water companies in south east England to:
- Introduce hosepipe bans from early April at the latest
- Ban water use for non-essential activities such as washing windows and watering parks before applying for drought permits or orders to take more water from rivers and groundwater
- Increase leakage control activity to make sure leaks are found and fixed as quickly as possible, reducing the water wastage
- Provide clear information and advice to customers and large industrial water users on the severity of the drought and how they can save water.
The Environment Agency will also step up its responsibilities in minimising the impact of drought on the environment, while making sure that there is enough water for people, by:
- Monitoring water companies’ activities to make sure they take all possible steps to manage drought
- Increasing monitoring of rainfall, river flows, groundwater levels and the environment
- Restricting spray irrigation where necessary and using river support schemes to maintain flows and protect wildlife.
- Reporting publicly on the impact of the drought on the environment and wildlife
The Environment Agency has not ruled out applying for drought orders on behalf of water companies if companies are not acting to protect supplies.
“London and parts of the south east already have a shortage in water supply. In a long drought, there is not enough water to go around. We are urging water companies to make the best use of the water resources they have, and to help their customers save water.
“We think householders need incentives to save, such as compulsory metering in areas where there are water shortages. And we need campaigns by water companies to encourage water savings.
“If everyone in England and Wales saved four litres a day by turning off the tap while brushing their teeth, it would be enough water to supply more than 600,000 homes every day,” Barbara Young said.
Looking at the long-range weather prospects, Dr Richard Graham from the UK Met Office said: “There are significant uncertainties in seasonal prediction but temperatures across the UK to the end of April are likely to be warmer than average. In terms of rainfall, it looks as though it could be drier than normal in the north, but there are equal probabilities of dry, normal or wet weather for the south of the country.”
The 2006 Drought Prospects report looks at possible predictions if only 60% of the average rain falls between now and April:
- In Kent and Sussex, there could be widespread restrictions on water use, restrictions on spray irrigation for farmers, and environmental impacts such as fish dying and streams drying up
- In the rest of the south east, including London, the Thames Valley, Essex and south Cambridgeshire, there could be restrictions on non-essential uses such as watering gardens
- In the rest of England and Wales, there may be localised problems, such as low river levels, but these areas are at a lower risk of drought during summer.
Water companies in the south east include Essex and Suffolk Water, Folkestone and Dover Water, Mid Kent Water, Portsmouth Water, South East Water, Southern Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Thames Water and Three Valleys Water.
Hosepipe and sprinkler bans are already in place in some parts of the south east. Currently, Southern Water has two drought permits in place.
So far since October 2005 (as of 20 February), south east England has received about 280mm of rain. The long term average for this period is 380mm.
The 2006 Drought Prospects report is available at www.environment-agency.gov.uk