Severe drought declared in parts of southern England

Parts of southern England have been declared under a severe drought following months of inadequate rainfall, according to the Environment Agency. The announcement came after a meeting of the National Drought Group, which assessed water resources and drought conditions across the country. High water demand during the hottest summer on record has significantly impacted supplies, but the government assures that customer water services will remain uninterrupted.

The decision to declare a severe drought is a proactive measure to safeguard water resources before any disruption occurs. Water companies have been instructed to monitor reservoir and river levels daily, and stricter monitoring of water quality will be implemented for businesses withdrawing water from natural sources to ensure they only take permitted quantities.

Two major reservoirs, Ardingly in West Sussex and Wimbleball in Somerset, have prompted the government to issue drought permits to secure supply. Ardingly Reservoir serves around 280,000 customers in East and West Sussex, while Wimbleball Reservoir serves approximately 300,000 properties across various regions in Somerset and Devon. Other significant reservoirs, such as Roadford in Devon, Burrator, Colliford in Cornwall, and Stithians, are also experiencing low water levels.

Environment Agency chief executive Philip Duffy emphasized that the record-breaking summer heat and severe drought have put water resources under immense pressure. Recovery depends on both rainfall and reducing water consumption, as water companies can take immediate steps to secure public water supplies. Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle acknowledged that this level of drought has not been experienced for decades and stated that the government is stepping up its support and planning.

She urged everyone to think about using water wisely over the coming weeks to protect public supplies, farmers, and wildlife.