As temperatures rising in UK, officially drought has been declared as low-water levels and tinder dry conditions across the UK.
Eight parts of England, including Devon, Kent, East Anglia and Lincolnshire are affected. Millions are expected to be impacted but the Environment Agency said essential water supplies were safe, but the public in drought affected areas is urged to use water wisely. Five water companies have already announced restrictions, including hosepipe bans. John Curtin, director of operations, said the drought would go on for "a long time" and also warned some restrictions on crop growing. Drought came as dry weather combined with the current heat-wave and July's record-breaking temperatures. High temperature has depleted rivers and reservoirs. Environment Agency has declared eight locations into drought status:
- Devon and Cornwall
- Solent and South Downs
- Kent and South London
- Hertfordshire and North London
- East Anglia
- Thames
- Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire
- East Midlands
Yorkshire and the West Midlands are also expected to move into a drought areas in August.
Heat waves are becoming more extreme because of climate change. Temperatures of UK have been rising day-on-day. According to the Met Office, the highest temperatures were recorded on Friday, in:
- Wiggonholt, West Sussex, at 34.5C
- Northolt, west London, and Hermonceux West End, East Sussex, at 34.2C
- Heathrow, west London, at 33.9C
- Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, at 33.8C
- Chivenor, Devon, at 33.7C.
Members of the public and businesses in drought-affected areas are also being urged to use water wisely. Five water companies - Welsh Water, Southern Water, Thames Water, South East Water and Yorkshire Water have announced hosepipe bans. Restrictions on usage of water, during hosepipe bans, people are not allowed to use hosepipes or anything that connects to a hosepipe or an outside tap. People cannot use a hosepipe to:
- water a garden or plants
- fill a paddling or swimming pool
- clean a car
- fill a pond
- clean walls or windows
People are allowed to
use stored rainwater from a water butt. Anyone breaking the rules would be fined
of up to £1,000.
Water minister Steve Double said, we are currently experiencing a second heat wave after what was the driest July on record for parts of the country. Action is already being taken by the government and other partners including the Environment Agency to manage the impacts. All water companies have reassured us that essential supplies are still safe, and we have made it clear it is their duty to maintain those supplies.
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