Drought declared

The Environment Agency (EA) has declared drought in north-west England.

This year the UK has seen the driest start to spring in 69 years. However, since the cloud-seeding around two weeks ago, it’s done nothing but rain in the North West of the country.

The Environment Agency say that reservoir storage levels in the region are receding and lower than they were at this time during the 1984, 1995 and 2022 drought years.

Perhaps this is inevitable as the last reservoir to be built in the north, in truth Britain, was Carsington Water – around 35 years ago – and since that time house-building and the UK population has exploded – meaning demand for water must have increased dramatically.

The EA say “The recent rain, while welcome, is not enough to reverse the dry start to the year and expected hotter weather in the coming weeks is set to exacerbate the situation.”

The decision by the EA to move into drought status increases the need for water companies to step up the actions agreed in drought plans.

“This includes fixing leaks, communicating with customers and supporting them to reduce demand, and submitting drought permits to take more water, as needed. These actions if taken in a timely manner will help preserve supplies for people and the environment.”

Prepare yourselves for a hosepipe ban!