Spellman warns of drought risk next summer
Resource efficiency news - by GreenWise Staff
1st December 2011
The Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman is calling on water companies, businesses and the public in England to plan now for water shortages next summer.
Her warning comes in the same week as the
Environment Agency granted a
drought permit to Anglian Water and on the same day as South East Water has applied for its own drought order. The Environment Agency’s latest drought management report said that water shortages continue to affect regions of England and that dry weather conditions and low water levels remain a concern across the nation.
Spring 2011 was the driest in England for a century and counties of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and West Norfolk have seen the lowest yearly rainfall levels since 1921. Spelman warned that the drought that has affected central and eastern England this year could continue until next summer.
"It may have surprised people that we’ve granted Anglian Water a drought permit in November, but it is a warning of the need to take action now after the country has seen the driest 12 months since records began. Everyone has worked hard to stave off any threat of hosepipe bans this year, and help keep our rivers flowing," she said. "Unfortunately, if we have another dry winter, there is a high risk that parts of the country will almost certainly be in drought next summer – so it’s vital we plan ahead to meet this challenge."
Water companies and businesses
In its report, the Environment Agency is pressing water companies in affected regions to do everything possible to reduce water demand, including implementing water saving campaigns for their customers and to have additional maintenance teams available over the winter to deal with any increase in leakage that may occur.
Meanwhile, it is calling on farmers and businesses to make the best use of limited water resources through measures such as setting up a water abstractor group, water audits and implementing measures to improve
water efficiency.
"Water companies, businesses and consumers all have a role to play in making sure water is conserve to maximise the supplies available for 2012," said Environment Agency chief executive, Dr Paul Leinster.
Spelman said the Government would set out its plans to ensure a "safe and secure water supply in the future" next month.
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