Drought group issues summer warning

The National Drought Group (NDG) has warned of a repeat of last summer’s pressure on water supplies, as two parts of England remain in drought status despite the winter downpours.

The NDG said above average rainfall for five consecutive months replenished levels of reservoirs and groundwater but added that dry weather since the end of January means risks remain for restrictions being needed this summer. Many rivers levels (63%) are below average for the time of year.

Rainfall over the next three months will be vital in reducing the drought risk this year, the NDG warned as members plan for more extreme weather scenarios.

Reservoir capacity across the country at the beginning of February was 88%, which is up from 49% at the end of September 2022 when supplies hit the lowest point after the prolonged dry weather.

The NDG said drought status remains in East Anglia and Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The rest of the country is classified as recovering by the Environment Agency (EA), which declared drought across 11 of 14 regions in July and August last year.

Water companies are urged to learn from last year’s response and take forward improvements for managing and responding to future droughts. This includes continuing to find ways to improve supplies over winter such as identifying new sources and ensuring existing ones are optimised. The NDG also stressed the ongoing importance of finding and repairing leaks.

New drought permits to refill reservoirs in the spring have been determined by the EA to bolster supplies.

EA executive director and NDG chair John Leyland said: “While most water levels have returned to normal across much of the country, low rainfall in recent weeks highlights the importance of remaining vigilant. We cannot rely on the weather alone, which is why the Environment Agency, water companies and our partners are taking action to ensure water resources are in the best possible position both for the summer and for future droughts.

“As ever, it is important that we all continue to use water carefully to protect not just our water resources; but our precious environment and the wildlife that depends on it.”

Restrictions on water consumption including hosepipe bans were enforced by seven water companies for the first time in a decade last year as the UK experienced the driest summer for 30 years. In Yorkshire the ban continued until December, while in the south west customers were incentivised to use less water to replenish reservoirs.

The NDG comprises of EA, government, the Met Office and water companies as well as farming and environmental groups.