Farmers
in parts of England are being asked to conserve
water, following several months of below
average rainfall and a higher demand for
spray irrigation.
Many areas have missed
the recent wet weather that has fallen in
Wales and western and northern England.
To help maintain water
supplies for longer and avoid restrictions,
the Environment Agency is asking farmers
to use water efficiently by only irrigating
in the evenings or at night and checking
for any leaks. It is also encouraging farmers
to use spare water from any winter storage
reservoirs instead of taking water from
rivers.
Some parts of East Anglia
have seen an increased demand for water
to irrigate crops due to dry conditions.
The Environment Agency hopes that voluntary
action by farmers will avoid formal restrictions
for spray irrigation in the Fenland areas
around Cambridge as this is where water
resources and the environment are currently
under greatest pressure.
The Environment Agency
is also reminding farmers with root crops
to save water in case it is needed to help
lift them later in the year.
National Farmers’ Union
East Anglia senior policy adviser Paul Hammett
said: "This announcement sends an important
signal to farmers to use their water wisely
and to prepare themselves for possible restrictions.
“We welcome the chance
being given to farmers to regulate their
own water use by voluntary restrictions
that encourage irrigation during night time
only.
“This will help to eke
out limited supplies of water for as long
as possible.”
Stuart Sampson, the
Environment Agency’s drought coordinator,
said: “Months of below average rainfall
and an increased demand for water has put
pressure on water resources in some parts
of the country.
“We urge farmers to
use water efficiently by irrigating at night
and checking for any leaks.
“We hope that voluntary
restrictions of water use by farmers will
help avoid any formal spray irrigation restrictions
later in the year.”
ENDS
National media enquiries
please contact the press office on 020 7863
8744 or email pressoffice@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Outside normal office hours, please contact
the National Duty Press Officer on 07798
882 092.
Notes to editors:
There are ways of making
better use of the water available, such
as:
:: Irrigate late in
the day, or even at night (provided it is
safe to do so)
:: Do not irrigate if it is windy
:: Use low trajectory sprays to reduce evaporation.
:: Ensure irrigation is uniform, with appropriate
rates and droplet size.
:: Ensure irrigation pipework is properly
lagged and check regularly for leaks
:: Avoid over-irrigating – as well as wasting
precious water, it may increase the risk
of diffuse pollution.
• Most abstraction licences,
including those for spray irrigation, contain
conditions where the licence holder has
to reduce or stop taking water once the
river has dropped to a certain level. Some
older licenses don't have these restrictions
and in these cases the Environment Agency
can use section 57 of the Water Resources
Act 1991 to impose restrictions on spray
irrigation when necessary.
+ More
Beware of what lies
beneath, says the Environment Agency
Environment Agency officers,
Thames Valley police and divers at Godstow
bridge removing potential dangers from the
River Thames.
The Environment Agency
and Thames Valley Police are urging members
of the public to ‘think before they swim’
as the school holidays get into full swing.
This Wednesday, (11
August 2010) the Environment Agency and
Thames Valley Police will be on the River
Thames at Godstow bridge illustrating the
dangers of what lies beneath the surface
of the water.
Over the years Thames
Valley Police divers have pulled out a variety
of dangerous items from the River Thames
including; shopping trolleys, motorbikes,
fridges and television sets.
Falling on metal spikes,
broken glass, shopping trolleys and other
discarded items hidden underwater are just
some of the dangers bridge jumpers and swimmers
face. Being struck by a boat, caught in
a propeller or swept along in a strong current
are other possible risks.
Russell Robson, principal
recreation officer for the Environment Agency,
said: “We want people to enjoy being on
or near the River Thames but they need to
stay safe. Not considering the risks can
end in accidents and in some cases, death,
it’s just not worth it.
“Today is about highlighting
what dangers may lie on the bed or the river,
we want the public to be aware of the hidden
dangers that come with swimming and jumping
in the river.
“One of the best ways
to get close to the water is on a boat and
there are canoe, sailing and rowing clubs
all along the Thames who are happy to welcome
new members, there are also plenty of places
to hire boats.”
Inspector John Ramsbottom
said: “Thames Valley Police is always happy
to help and support such an important initiative
and highlight what is a very serious danger
to the public”.
While the water may
look enticing on a hot afternoon, people
often fail to consider the following:
• There may be obstructions
under the water such as submerged landing
platforms, shopping trolleys, bicycles,
broken glass and other
potentially dangerous items
• The depth of the water is often uncertain
going from shallow to very deep within short
distances
• The water is often surprisingly cold only
a few inches beneath the surface which can
limit ability to swim any distance
• The speed of flow can be well beyond the
abilities of even the strongest of swimmers,
particularly after rain.
• Boats and other moving craft find it very
hard to spot swimmers and cannot stop dead
or move quickly out of a swimmer’s path
The Environment Agency
has provided some information to consider
when planning your days our and holidays,
whilst still having fun and being safe:
Top tips
Don't jump or dive in
as the depth may vary and there can be unseen
hazards such as shallow water, broken glass
or other sharp objects.
Don't go in near weirs,
locks, pipes and sluices. These and some
other water features are often linked with
strong currents - these dangers can often
be beyond the ability of even good swimmers
to cope with safely.
Do take notice of any
safety information, warning signs or flags.
Know what the signs mean and do as they
advise.
Be aware that inland
waters can be very cold no matter how warm
the weather. Those going into cold water
can get cramp and experience breathing difficulties.
Never venture out onto ice covered lakes,
ponds or canals.
Think about the hazards
near the waters edge. Banks can be unstable
and suddenly collapse. They can also be
very slippery when wet and if you fall in
it is often difficult to get out of the
water.
Use appropriate safety
equipment for your activity - this could
include a life jacket or a buoyancy aid
and other safety wear such as a helmet.
Consider the dangers
of using airbeds, inner tubes and other
floatation devices. They can be carried
away by currents or blown by the wind into
deep water and may not keep you afloat.
Consuming alcohol may
severely impair your ability and judgment
when on or in water. If you have been drinking
think twice about your safety and of those
you may put at risk trying to rescue you.
Get trained in life
saving and resuscitation techniques and
know what to do in an emergency.
Parents and guardians
can help keep children in their care safe
by:
• Teaching them to swim
• Warning them not to
go into water alone, or unsupervised
• Ensuring they know
where the children are and what they are
doing
• Supervising them closely
when near any open water
Remember, drowning can
occur very quickly even in shallow water
and the key to keeping safe is not to get
into difficulty in the first place. Be extra
careful when in or near water - your options
in an emergency are very limited and you
should not rely on safety equipment being
present.
There are lots of supervised
activities on offer through the summer and
this is the best way for children to enjoy
the waterways. Details of a range of these
can be found on our website www.visitthames.co.uk.
