5-Apr-2006 - The Environment
Agency is urging the public, farmers and industry
to use water carefully as it has moved the drought
status for Essex and parts of Suffolk1 from 'potential
drought' to 'drought'. This means that a shortage
of water is predicted for the summer in these
areas.
The effects this shortage will
have include spray irrigation reductions or bans
for farmers and low river flows leading to possible
problems for fish and other wildlife. The Environment
Agency has also advised water companies2 in the
area that the companies may need to introduce
hosepipe bans to conserve limited water supplies.
Although there has been a slight
increase in river flows after the rain we had
in mid-February and early March, the underlying
river flows are still low for the time of year.
We would need at least 6 weeks above average rainfall
to achieve more 'normal' conditions.
Jonathan Thompson from the Environment
Agency said, "The situation in Essex and
Suffolk is not as serious as in the south east
of the country at the moment, but we are still
likely to run short of water this year and could
be in a very serious situation next year if the
dry weather continues.'
"We recognise the efforts
water companies are making in reducing demand,
but they still need to step-up their work on encouraging
people to save water wherever possible and make
sure leaks are found and fixed as quickly as possible.'
"Small things we can do
every day such as taking showers instead of baths,
turning the tap-off when brushing our teeth and
not planting thirsty summer bedding plants helps
to reduce our total demand for water."
Suffolk and Essex are currently
experiencing the driest year since 1996 and in
the last 18 months, 15 have had below average
rainfall. In February, Essex had 70% (31.2mm)
of its average (44.4mm) monthly rainfall and Suffolk
had 74 % (32.9mm) of its average (44.2mm).
Notes to Editors:
1 The area included is South Suffolk and the whole
of Essex
2 Water companies covering Essex and Suffolk are:
Essex and Suffolk Water
Anglian Water
Tendring Hundred
Three Valleys Water
