24/02/2006 - 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
on the Environment agency website.
