Britain facing summer hosepipe ban as drought risk remains high
source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/9014014/Britain-facing-summer-hosepipe-ban-as-dro...
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- JanforGore
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Britain faces hosepipe bans this summer amid warnings that many areas are experiencing alarmingly dry conditions.
After many weeks with little rain, southern and eastern areas “remain at high risk of drought” in coming months, the Environment Agency said.
Despite some wet weather last month that helped improve river flows and reservoir levels, overall dry conditions meant water levels remained low and groundwater recharge was also slow.
On Friday night, officials warned that unless significant rain started falling soon “more drought permits and customer restrictions on public water supplies” could be introduced by the summer.
The Government quango admitted that continued drought conditions would have “significant impacts” on British habitats, agriculture and navigation.
Drought orders ultimately allow water companies to bring in hosepipe bans and other restrictions.
Further dry weather would mean further restrictions for farmers and industry around taking water from rivers and reservoirs.
Households may be asked to refrain from using a hosepipe to water lawns, wash cars or fill swimming pools. Although rain and snow is forecast for the west in the coming weeks it is predicted to be dry in the south and east.
In its latest drought report published on Friday, the EA warned soil levels remained alarmingly dry.
Water levels were also low in areas including Shropshire, Nottinghamshire Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, East Sussex and Kent.
Areas that still remain in drought include Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, parts of Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and west Norfolk because of last year's “very dry spring and autumn”.
“Groundwater recovery is very slow and soil moisture deficits increased this week meaning soils are still dry for the time of year,” its January Drought Management briefing stated.
“Parts of the east, midlands and south east of England are still vulnerable to drought in spring and summer 2012.
“We need above average rainfall for the remainder of the recharge period for the significant recovery of groundwater.”
It added: “These areas remain at high risk of drought later this year if we do not continue to have prolonged periods of rainfall.
“Drought could have significant impacts on the environment and habitats, agriculture and navigation. It may also lead to more drought permits and customer restrictions on public water supplies remain possible.”
More at the link
After many weeks with little rain, southern and eastern areas “remain at high risk of drought” in coming months, the Environment Agency said.
Despite some wet weather last month that helped improve river flows and reservoir levels, overall dry conditions meant water levels remained low and groundwater recharge was also slow.
On Friday night, officials warned that unless significant rain started falling soon “more drought permits and customer restrictions on public water supplies” could be introduced by the summer.
The Government quango admitted that continued drought conditions would have “significant impacts” on British habitats, agriculture and navigation.
Drought orders ultimately allow water companies to bring in hosepipe bans and other restrictions.
Further dry weather would mean further restrictions for farmers and industry around taking water from rivers and reservoirs.
Households may be asked to refrain from using a hosepipe to water lawns, wash cars or fill swimming pools. Although rain and snow is forecast for the west in the coming weeks it is predicted to be dry in the south and east.
In its latest drought report published on Friday, the EA warned soil levels remained alarmingly dry.
Water levels were also low in areas including Shropshire, Nottinghamshire Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, East Sussex and Kent.
Areas that still remain in drought include Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, parts of Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and west Norfolk because of last year's “very dry spring and autumn”.
“Groundwater recovery is very slow and soil moisture deficits increased this week meaning soils are still dry for the time of year,” its January Drought Management briefing stated.
“Parts of the east, midlands and south east of England are still vulnerable to drought in spring and summer 2012.
“We need above average rainfall for the remainder of the recharge period for the significant recovery of groundwater.”
It added: “These areas remain at high risk of drought later this year if we do not continue to have prolonged periods of rainfall.
“Drought could have significant impacts on the environment and habitats, agriculture and navigation. It may also lead to more drought permits and customer restrictions on public water supplies remain possible.”
More at the link
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IceKat
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It happens almost every year, and at various times of the year too. Hosepipe bans have been happening for decades and is often as a result of water mismanagement. This is not a result of catastrophic breakdown of hydrological cycles, or 'berserk' weather.
- 4 months ago
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IceKat
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coolplanet
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It won't take much more of this berserk weather to wake the "first" world up.
I only hope it's not too late to do anything about by then. - 5 months ago
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coolplanet
