Latest news with #waterrestrictions
Sky News
9 hours ago
- Climate
- Sky News
East and West Midlands are latest regions officially in drought - which areas could be next?
The East and West Midlands are officially in drought after the driest start to a year since 1976. The two regions join the North West of England and Yorkshire, which have had drought status for several weeks. The decision by the government's National Drought Group makes it more likely that people in the areas will be affected by hosepipe bans. Currently, eight million people have restrictions on water use, or will do so in the next week. Experts from the government, water companies and the Met Office judged that reservoir and river levels in the Midlands were well below normal, with no substantial rain in the forecast. But Howden reservoir in Derbyshire is just 39% full, with three heatwaves so far this summer rapidly draining supplies. 2:38 After the meeting by the government group, water minister Emma Hardy MP said: "We need to stop talking about these being extreme weather events and start to accept that because of climate change, things like this are going to be more normal. "So as for whether more companies will introduce temporary use bans, that really genuinely depends on what happens with the weather over the next few months." The Environment Agency has drawn up a reasonable worst-case scenario in which England receives 20% less rain than normal and the weather remains warm, but not hot - far from improbable. In that case, the drought will grow to include all regions down to Wessex, Hampshire and across to Cambridgeshire by the autumn. The rest of the country would be in a pre-drought status - officially called "prolonged dry weather" - apart from Devon and Cornwall, which have had more rain over recent months. 2:59 But a water expert has told Sky News that poor planning by the government and water companies is also to blame for regions being affected by drought and hosepipe bans. Professor Richard Ashley, of the University of Sheffield, said a failure to build new reservoirs, link up water grids across regions and fix leaks has undermined water security in the face of dry weather. "We do have a largely Victorian-based supply system," he said. "A lot of our infrastructure is in desperate need of upgrading, and replacement of water mains is of the order of once every hundred years in this country, and that frankly is shocking. "This is outdated thinking and outdated infrastructure to cope with problems of the now and the future." The last reservoir built in the UK was in 1992. Since then, the population has grown by 12 million. And water companies currently lose three billion litres of water a day through leaks. Even on the day that the official drought was expanded, a burst water main in south London resulted in a flood that closed schools and forced homes to be evacuated
Telegraph
17 hours ago
- Climate
- Telegraph
Most of England facing hosepipe ban
Most of England is expected to face hosepipe bans this summer in a historic drought. The Environment Agency (EA) warned on Monday that swathes of the country, from Cumbria to the Isle of Wight, could have drought status declared by September. Such a scenario would be expected to leave tens of millions in the North, Midlands and central southern England with curbs on their water usage. The forecast came after Thames Water announced a temporary usage ban in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire, bringing the number of people in England under such restrictions to 7.5 million. It follows similar measures announced recently by South East Water and Yorkshire Water. The EA said the public should 'expect more' hosepipe bans as water companies respond to the predicted drought. Under its forecasts, Cumbria, Yorkshire, Lancashire, the Midlands, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will all be in drought by September. The rest of the country – with the only exceptions being Devon and Cornwall – will be in 'prolonged dry weather' status, the category below drought. 'That's our reasonable worst-case scenario,' said Richard Thompson, the quango 's deputy director for water resources. 'That's what we are planning towards. 'But we have also stress tested that against some more extreme scenarios. Under those circumstances, we might expect droughts to move faster. We could expect it to become more widespread.' Currently, three 'regions' of England are in drought: Cumbria and Lancashire; Yorkshire; and Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. Reservoir levels are now said to be very low across the North and Midlands following a succession of heatwaves and the driest first six months of the year in England since 1976. Dr Will Lang, the Met Office's chief meteorologist, said: 'Looking forward, if the dry weather was to continue through the rest of the summer, we do expect other companies to follow [suit] as they follow their dry plan. 'But it will be dependent on the rainfall and temperatures.' Is there a ban in your area? Select your provider to check That includes London, where Thames Water did not rule out introducing restrictions. Sources told The Telegraph that the company was keeping a 'close eye' on declining water levels in reservoirs which supply the capital, where stocks are currently 'slightly below average'. That is only marginally better than the 'below average' levels of the Farmoor Reservoir, which prompted the hosepipe ban in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire. The Environment Agency also warned that farmers were facing a 'deteriorating' situation. It said the dry spring had forced them to start irrigating fields earlier than usual and reservoirs were now 'low in some areas', adding that it could lead to 'poor crop quality', 'lower yields' and reduced 'winter feed supplies'. The agency also confirmed that farmers in East Anglia and Yorkshire were being banned from watering their crops in an attempt to preserve water supplies. Abstraction bans, known as Section 57 restrictions, are imposed by the Environment Agency during times when severe drought coincides with irrigation periods. On Saturday, Tom Bradshaw, the president of the National Farmers' Union, said that the bans were ' risking food production '.
The Sun
19 hours ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Full list of areas hit with hosepipe bans this summer – check if YOU'RE affected
MILLIONS of households are facing hosepipe bans with four major firms imposing restrictions. Yorkshire Water brought in a ban on July 11 while South East Water is enforcing restrictions from Friday (July 18). 2 Thames Water is set to bring in a ban for households in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and parts of Berkshire on July 22. Sources said Southern Water, which supplies Kent, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and East and West Sussex, is also days away from a ban. Anglian Water, Dwr Cymra, Northumbrian Water, South West Water, United Utilities Water and Wessex Water have all confirmed to The Sun they are not, currently, poised to impose any restrictions. It comes as the Environment Agency (EA) declared drought in the West and East Midlands today. Here is what Yorkshire Water, Thames Water and South East Water have said about their bans. Yorkshire Water The firm brought in restrictions from July 11 across the whole of Yorkshire following the driest spring on record in the area. Households have been told to stop using hosepipes for the following things: The firm has not said when the restrictions will end - only when its reservoir levels return to better levels. You can find out more information via The hot weather has parched the land and drained reservoirs across the country as UK hit with hosepipe bans Thames Water Thames Water is introducing a ban from next Tuesday (July 22) following the warmest June on record. The firm said the EA has put its coverage area into the prolonged dry weather category - an extended period of low rainfall that leaves water levels depleted. Not all households supplied by Thames Water will be banned from using hosepipes though. The affected postcodes are: OX, GL, SN, RG4, RG8 and RG9. Thames Water said the reason these areas have had a ban imposed is because the Farmoor Reservoir, which supplies them, has seen its water levels drop significantly. The water firm hasn't said how long the ban will last and when it is lifted depends on weather conditions. Customers will be told when the ban is lifted. You can find out more via South East Water South East Water is imposing a ban on Friday (July 18) for households in Kent and Sussex. The restrictions mean those affected cannot use hosepipes for watering gardens, washing cars, windows and patios, or filling swimming and paddling pools. The water firm said demand for water had increased to the highest levels it had ever seen for this time of year, leaving its reservoir and underground water storage levels low. The firm has not put a date on when the ban will end but said it will monitor the situation and lift any restrictions when water levels are back to sufficient levels. You can find out more via What can you do if you're affected? You will likely still be able to water your plants or wash your car using a water can or bucket. You can also use water that is not from the mains water, like grey water from baths and cooking pots or rainwater from a water butt through a hosepipe. Another get around is that you will likely be able to water a newly laid lawn or plants for 28 days. The rules for each firm might vary though so it's worth checking each of the three firms' websites to find out more. .
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Most of England faces hosepipe bans: Experts warn huge swathes of the country will be unable to water their gardens this summer with another FIVE regions introducing restrictions
Most of England could be placed under a hosepipe ban this summer, the Environment Agency has warned, joining millions of households already barred from watering their gardens this summer. The agency is expected to set out plans today that could see several more regions officially designated as being in drought, following a meeting with government officials and industry leaders. Up to five additional areas could face drought status by September, prompting further water restrictions as prolonged dry conditions persist. Thames Water is the latest supplier to announce a hosepipe ban, coming into effect on Tuesday next week for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire, and parts of Berkshire. The decision follows the Environment Agency's move to place the region under its 'prolonged dry weather' classification. Three regions, Cumbria and Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, are already in drought, with three water firms having introduced hosepipe bans after an exceptionally dry spring. Under the watchdog's worst-case scenario, millions more across the Midlands and central southern England could face similar measures in the weeks ahead. If England gets 80 per cent of its long-term average rainfall and warm temperatures over the coming weeks, the total number of areas given 'drought' status could reach eight by September, the agency forecasts. In this scenario, the West Midlands, East Midlands, Thames Wessex, parts of the Solent and South Downs, parts of East Anglia and Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire could also be in drought by the end of the summer. To prepare for and tackle the impacts, the Environment Agency said it has been working closely with water companies, which are following their drought plans to ensure supply, as well as the National Farmers' Union and local authorities. In a briefing to reporters on Monday, Richard Thompson, water resources deputy director of the watchdog, said: 'We certainly expect more regions to enter drought status. 'We'll be announcing that at the National Drought group tomorrow. That could extend further, depending under a reasonable worst case scenario. 'Obviously, if we were to get average rainfall or above, it might slow down the rate in which new parts of the country enter official drought status, but we do expect more.' Mr Thompson said the watchdog is planning towards its reasonable worst case scenario but has also 'stress tested' these preparations against some more extreme scenarios where hot and dry conditions could push even more areas into drought, and faster. 'We continue to respond to the current situation, but also to prepare for all eventualities,' he said. The watchdog said it expects to see other companies follow with their own hosepipe bans as they stick to their drought plans, although this will also be dependent on the rainfall and temperatures in the coming weeks. Scientists said the recent extreme conditions have been made more likely due to human-caused climate change, bringing wide-ranging impacts on farmers and the environment Scientists said the recent extreme conditions have been made more likely due to human-caused climate change, bringing wide-ranging impacts on farmers and the environment. Stuart Sampson, drought manager at the Environment Agency, said the situation for farmers has been 'deteriorating' with already low levels in irrigation reservoirs prompting concerns for the rest of the summer. Some farmers have been reporting poor crop quality as well as lower yields on livestock, while fears are growing over the impact that conditions could have on winter feed. Anger is growing among farmers in East Anglia, who face an abstraction ban preventing them from irrigating crops due to low river levels, while a hosepipe ban has not been put in place. The Environment Agency said it has carried out fish rescues as the higher temperatures cause fish die-offs, as well as blue-green algae blooms in waterways, which can be harmful to ecosystems, pets and people using the water. Meanwhile, canal and river trusts have reported restrictions and closures, caused by the low levels in reservoirs that supply the networks. 'These are in a worse position than in any other droughts over the past 20 years,' Mr Sampson said. While the Environment Agency is planning for its reasonable worst case scenario, Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office said July is likely to see more changeable weather, with sporadic rainfall and some hot spells. And for the longer-term outlook, Mr Lang said there is 'no strong signal' for it being very dry or extremely wet. 'It could go either way, but the most likely situation is that we will have somewhere near average rainfall for the UK and also for England and Wales as a whole,' he said. Asked how this year compares with the famous drought year of 1976 and the record temperatures of 2022, Mr Sampson said the Environment Agency is not expecting to see the same level of impact. He said this is because the county is better prepared now than in 1976, which was also preceded by a dry winter and previous summer, unlike the weather seen in 2024. Meanwhile, the extreme heat in 2022 brought on a 'flash drought' that saw drought conditions occurring 'really, really quickly', he added. On wildfires, Mr Thompson said the watchdog is aware reports have been increasing and is working closely with local authorities to ensure emergency services are ready to respond. 'We haven't had any widespread reports so far,' he said, but added that the south and east of the country are more likely to see wildfires if more are to happen.
The Independent
a day ago
- Climate
- The Independent
These are the UK areas where a new hosepipe ban is predicted by September
England faces the prospect of widespread drought conditions by September, the Environment Agency has warned. It said up to five additional regions could potentially be declared drought zones in the next few months, leading to more hosepipe bans. This stark forecast comes as the National Drought Group, a coalition of sector leaders and officials, prepares to meet on Tuesday to discuss the escalating situation. Currently, three areas – Cumbria and Lancashire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, and Merseyside and Cheshire – are already experiencing drought, with three water companies having already implemented hosepipe bans following one of the UK's driest springs on record. Under the Environment Agency 's "reasonable worst-case scenario," millions more people across the Midlands and central southern regions could face these restrictions this year. The watchdog predicts that if England receives only 80 per cent of its long-term average rainfall alongside warm temperatures in the coming weeks, the total number of areas designated as "drought" status could reach eight by the end of summer. This scenario would see the West Midlands, East Midlands, Thames Wessex, parts of the Solent and South Downs, parts of East Anglia, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire also entering drought conditions. To prepare for and tackle the impacts, the Environment Agency said it has been working closely with water companies, which are following their drought plans to ensure supply, as well as the National Farmers' Union and local authorities. In a briefing to reporters on Monday, Richard Thompson, water resources deputy director of the watchdog, said: 'We certainly expect more regions to enter drought status. 'We'll be announcing that at the National Drought group tomorrow. That could extend further, depending under a reasonable worst case scenario. 'Obviously, if we were to get average rainfall or above, it might slow down the rate in which new parts of the country enter official drought status, but we do expect more.' Mr Thompson said the watchdog is planning towards its reasonable worst case scenario but has also 'stress tested' these preparations against some more extreme scenarios where hot and dry conditions could push even more areas into drought, and faster. 'We continue to respond to the current situation, but also to prepare for all eventualities,' he said. It comes after Thames Water became the latest utility to announce a hosepipe ban, which will begin next Tuesday for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire. The water company said the measure will be brought in after the Environment Agency placed its area into the 'prolonged dry weather category'. The Environment Agency said it expects to see other companies follow with their own hosepipe bans as they stick to their drought plans, although this will also be dependent on the rainfall and temperatures in the coming weeks. Scientists said the recent extreme conditions have been made more likely due to human-caused climate change, bringing wide-ranging impacts on farmers and the environment. Stuart Sampson, drought manager at the Environment Agency, said the situation for farmers has been 'deteriorating' with already low levels in irrigation reservoirs prompting concerns for the rest of the summer. Some farmers have been reporting poor crop quality as well as lower yields on livestock, while fears are growing over the impact that conditions could have on winter feed. Anger is growing among farmers in East Anglia, who face an abstraction ban preventing them from irrigating crops due to low river levels, while a hosepipe ban has not been put in place. The Environment Agency said it has carried out fish rescues as the higher temperatures cause fish die-offs, as well as blue-green algae blooms in waterways, which can be harmful to ecosystems, pets and people using the water. Meanwhile, canal and river trusts have reported restrictions and closures, caused by the low levels in reservoirs that supply the networks. 'These are in a worse position than in any other droughts over the past 20 years,' Mr Sampson said. While the Environment Agency is planning for its reasonable worst case scenario, Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office said July is likely to see more changeable weather, with sporadic rainfall and some hot spells. And for the longer-term outlook, Mr Lang said there is 'no strong signal' for it being very dry or extremely wet. 'It could go either way, but the most likely situation is that we will have somewhere near average rainfall for the UK and also for England and Wales as a whole,' he said. Asked how this year compares with the famous drought year of 1976 and the record temperatures of 2022, Mr Sampson said the Environment Agency is not expecting to see the same level of impact. He said this is because the county is better prepared now than in 1976, which was also preceded by a dry winter and previous summer, unlike the weather seen in 2024. Meanwhile, the extreme heat in 2022 brought on a 'flash drought' that saw drought conditions occurring 'really, really quickly', he added. On wildfires, Mr Thompson said the watchdog is aware reports have been increasing and is working closely with local authorities to ensure emergency services are ready to respond. 'We haven't had any widespread reports so far,' he said, but added that the south and east of the country are more likely to see wildfires if more are to happen.
