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Is the UK heading for a drought and will there be more hosepipe bans? Is the UK heading for a drought and will there be more hosepipe bans?
(5 days later)
Temporary hosepipe bans will be introduced by South East Water and Southern Water after England experienced its driest July since 1935. Following the driest July in England since 1935, some water companies have introduced hosepipe bans.
It has raised concerns that the UK could be heading for a drought.It has raised concerns that the UK could be heading for a drought.
What is a drought?
A drought relates to a lack of water, but there are different types of drought and their nature and impact might vary.
The Royal Meteorological Society says a drought is not just a lack of water for a specific time. For example, there can be agricultural droughts where there is not enough water to grow a crop.
The decision on whether to declare a drought in England is taken by the Environment Agency, which coordinates the response with water companies. The agency doesn't use a single definition of a drought - it takes into account factors like the impact on people and how long a drought will last.
Scottish agency issues water scarcity warning
Why has 2022 seen drought warnings?Why has 2022 seen drought warnings?
The National Drought Group moved England into "Prolonged Dry Weather" status - the stage before a drought - at an emergency meeting.The National Drought Group moved England into "Prolonged Dry Weather" status - the stage before a drought - at an emergency meeting.
In the first three months of the year, England's rainfall was down 26% and in Wales it was down 22%.In the first three months of the year, England's rainfall was down 26% and in Wales it was down 22%.
This meant, even before the summer started, that average river flows were "below normal" or "exceptionally low".This meant, even before the summer started, that average river flows were "below normal" or "exceptionally low".
July saw temperature records broken multiple times and rainfall is down 76%. Further periods of dry and hot weather are forecast by the Met Office. July saw temperature records broken multiple times and rainfall is down 76%.
These conditions have been made worse by the overconsumption of water. More than 28% of underground water sources are overused, the government says.These conditions have been made worse by the overconsumption of water. More than 28% of underground water sources are overused, the government says.
Driest July in England since 1935 - Met OfficeDriest July in England since 1935 - Met Office
The UK's heatwave records in chartsThe UK's heatwave records in charts
Is the UK getting hotter?Is the UK getting hotter?
What is a drought? Where are hosepipe bans being imposed?
A drought is declared by the Environment Agency, which coordinates the national response with water companies. Water companies are allowed to bring in hosepipe bans to reduce water usage.
Many people define a drought as an extended time without water. These can be announced in response to river and reservoir levels running low.
But the Royal Meteorological Society says it is not always as simple as that. For example, there can be agricultural droughts where there is not enough water to grow a crop. Southern Water introduced a hosepipe ban on 5 August for customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Could there be a hosepipe ban? And South East Water is introducing a hosepipe and sprinkler ban on Friday for customers across Kent and Sussex. Rule-breakers could be hit with a £1,000 fine.
Individual water companies are allowed to bring in hosepipe bans to reduce water demand. No other companies have plans to introduce hosepipe bans, but the BBC understands some companies are looking again at their advice following the National Drought Group announcement.
These can be announced in response to river levels running low. Water companies serving the south of England and the Midlands have been encouraged the customers to use less water.
Southern Water is introducing a hosepipe ban on 5 August, for customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Will there be a hosepipe ban in my area?
And South East Water is introducing a hosepipe and sprinkler ban on 12 August, for customers across Kent and Sussex. Rule-breakers could be hit with a £1,000 fine. What damage do droughts cause?
For now, other companies have not announced hosepipe bans - but customers in the south of England and the Midlands have been encouraged to use less water.
The BBC understands some companies are looking again at their advice following the National Drought Group announcement.
What is the impact of drought?
The effects of drought can include:The effects of drought can include:
killing fish and creating water pollutionkilling fish and creating water pollution
crop failurecrop failure
wildfireswildfires
The National Farmers' Union is watching the situation closely. Berry farmers have already reported losing some of their crop.The National Farmers' Union is watching the situation closely. Berry farmers have already reported losing some of their crop.
Vegetables such as potatoes - which are due to be harvested next month - are at particular risk due to their high-water content.Vegetables such as potatoes - which are due to be harvested next month - are at particular risk due to their high-water content.
The effects could be felt into next year, as farmers are delaying planting crops such as rapeseed because the soil is too dry.The effects could be felt into next year, as farmers are delaying planting crops such as rapeseed because the soil is too dry.
The price of barley and wheat increased four fold during the 2018 heatwave as crops failedThe price of barley and wheat increased four fold during the 2018 heatwave as crops failed
The recent record-breaking temperatures and very dry conditions led to multiple fires, with significant damage to homes and grasslands.The recent record-breaking temperatures and very dry conditions led to multiple fires, with significant damage to homes and grasslands.
The Environment Agency oversees the management of the UK's aquatic life, and will move fish to other rivers should water levels drop too low - as was done in Yorkshire in July.The Environment Agency oversees the management of the UK's aquatic life, and will move fish to other rivers should water levels drop too low - as was done in Yorkshire in July.
Outside of the UK, places such as northern Italy and Portugal declared drought emergencies earlier in the summer and put water restrictions in place.Outside of the UK, places such as northern Italy and Portugal declared drought emergencies earlier in the summer and put water restrictions in place.
France, Spain and Portugal have also faced significant wildfires due to the dry conditions.France, Spain and Portugal have also faced significant wildfires due to the dry conditions.
What happened in the 1976 and 2018 droughts?What happened in the 1976 and 2018 droughts?
In 1976 and 2018 the UK experienced severe droughts lasting months.In 1976 and 2018 the UK experienced severe droughts lasting months.
They were caused by a prolonged period of dry weather through the spring and then an unusually warm summer.They were caused by a prolonged period of dry weather through the spring and then an unusually warm summer.
In 1976, the Drought Act created emergency powers to turn off domestic and industrial water supplies.In 1976, the Drought Act created emergency powers to turn off domestic and industrial water supplies.
In 2018, the widespread drought led to crop failures, which raised food prices. Multiple water restrictions were put in place.In 2018, the widespread drought led to crop failures, which raised food prices. Multiple water restrictions were put in place.
This year has seen similar conditions, with low rainfall and above average temperatures in July.This year has seen similar conditions, with low rainfall and above average temperatures in July.
The conditions in August will be an important factor in whether the UK enters drought again.The conditions in August will be an important factor in whether the UK enters drought again.
Could we see more droughts in the future?Could we see more droughts in the future?
The National Infrastructure Commission - which provides advice to the government - recently said there could be more water shortages in the future, because of population growth and climate change.The National Infrastructure Commission - which provides advice to the government - recently said there could be more water shortages in the future, because of population growth and climate change.
It called for changes to water consumption and reductions in water losses.It called for changes to water consumption and reductions in water losses.
In the UK, up to three billion litres of water are lost each day - enough to support 20 million people.In the UK, up to three billion litres of water are lost each day - enough to support 20 million people.
The government's 25-year Environment Plan aims to tackle these issues by investing in existing infrastructure and improving efficiency in homes and businesses.The government's 25-year Environment Plan aims to tackle these issues by investing in existing infrastructure and improving efficiency in homes and businesses.