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Why are large parts of England now in drought? Where has a drought been declared in England, and what does it mean?
(5 days later)
Large parts of southern, central and eastern England have been declared drought areas. Yorkshire has become the latest area in England to be declared a drought zone.
The announcement was made by the National Drought Group, which said it was responding to the driest summer in 50 years. According to the Environment Agency, the region recorded below long-term average rainfall for the fifth month in a row in July.
It says "essential supplies of water are safe", but water companies in the affected areas could now introduce further restrictions on water use. It says "essential supplies of water are safe", but water companies in the affected areas can now introduce further restrictions on water use.
Where the drought zones? Where are the drought zones?
The Environment Agency (EA) says eight areas are now in drought: The Environment Agency (EA) says nine areas of England are now in drought:
Devon and CornwallDevon and Cornwall
Solent and South Downs
Kent and South London
Herts and North London
East AngliaEast Anglia
Thames Herts and North London
Kent and South London
LincolnshireLincolnshire
Northamptonshire and East MidlandsNorthamptonshire and East Midlands
It says that the West Midlands and Yorkshire are likely to be declared drought areas in the near future. Solent and South Downs
What is a drought? Thames
A drought relates to a lack of water, but there are different types of drought. Yorkshire
The Royal Meteorological Society says a drought is not simply 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 West Midlands could also be declared a drought area in the near future.
The decision on whether to declare a drought in England is taken by the EA, which coordinates the response with water companies. Separately, Northern Ireland Water has asked the UK government to put Drought Order measures in place to block water in the reservoirs in Spelga and Altnahinch from running into local rivers. It also wants to take more water from the well at Blacksprings near Cookstown.
It says the drought announcement was based on data including rainfall, river flows, groundwater levels, reservoir levels, and the dryness of soils, as how that is affecting the public water supply, commercial water users such as farmers, and the environment. The Wales Drought Liaison group is also looking at the effect of the dry weather.
The EA's latest water situation report shows some river levels are at the lowest levels ever recorded. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency temporarily banned farmers in parts of Fife from using water from the River Eden on their fields.
Drought declared across large parts of England
Scottish agency issues water scarcity warningScottish agency issues water scarcity warning
What is a drought?
A drought relates to a lack of water, but there are different types. For example, there can be agricultural droughts where there isn't enough water to grow particular crops.
The Environment Agency decides whether to declare a drought after consultation with water companies, government officials and groups including famers' representatives.
It says the latest drought announcements were based on data including rainfall, river flows, groundwater levels, reservoir levels, and the dryness of soils.
The EA's latest water situation report shows some river levels are the lowest ever recorded.
What happens when a drought is declared?
Declaring a drought in a specific area does not oblige water companies to restrict water use,
However, it does allow them to put into operation pre-arranged drought plans, which may include temporary use bans on hosepipes and lawn sprinklers.
Other possible options include:
taking more water than usual from rivers
using a desalination plant in London which could make water from the River Thames drinkable
cutting non-essential use of water beyond hosepipe bans
The EA is also urging water companies to act to reduce leakage from pipes as quickly as possible.
What are water companies doing to tackle leaks?
Why drought can lead to dangerous flooding
Why are there droughts in Britain this year?Why are there droughts in Britain this year?
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% while in Wales it was down 22%.
This meant that even before the summer started, that average river flows were "below normal" or "exceptionally low".This meant that even before the summer started, that average river flows were "below normal" or "exceptionally low".
July saw temperature records broken multiple times and rainfall was down 76%. July saw temperature records broken multiple times while rainfall was 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 charts What problems do droughts cause?
Is the UK getting hotter?
What happens when a drought is declared?
Drought is declared area by area, rather than for the country as a whole.
The EA says this does not automatically trigger water restrictions, but means it and the water companies will put into effect pre-arranged drought plans.
Some things that water companies might do include:
Take more water than usual from rivers, with permission from the government
A desalination plant could be used in London. It would take water from the River Thames and remove salt to make it drinkable.
Introduce hosepipe bans and cut non-essential use of water
The EA is also urging water companies to act to reduce leakage from pipes as quickly as possible.
What are water companies doing to tackle leaks?
Where are hosepipe bans being imposed?
Southern Water introduced a hosepipe ban on 5 August for customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
South East Water's ban on hosepipes and sprinklers came into force on 12 August across Kent and Sussex. Rule-breakers could be hit with a £1,000 fine.
Welsh Water has announced a hosepipe ban to into force on 19 August, covering Pembrokeshire and a small part of Carmarthen.
Thames Water, which has 15 million customers, says it will impose a ban "in the coming weeks".
Yorkshire Water is the latest company to announce a ban. It will come into force on 26 August.
Will there be a hosepipe ban in my area?
What damage do droughts cause?
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 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 delay 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
There have also been multiple fires, with significant damage to homes and grasslands.There have also been multiple fires, with significant damage to homes and grasslands.
Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Smith of the London Fire Brigade said: "Last year, in the first week of August, we attended 42 grassland fires in London. This year, for the first week in August, we've attended 340. So, an eightfold increase."Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Smith of the London Fire Brigade said: "Last year, in the first week of August, we attended 42 grassland fires in London. This year, for the first week in August, we've attended 340. So, an eightfold increase."
The Met Office is warning there is an "exceptional" risk of fires spreading over the weekend. Some supermarkets are removing disposable barbecues from shelves. The Met Office is warning there is an "exceptional" risk of fires spreading. Some shops have removed disposable barbecues from shelves.
The Environment Agency oversees the management of the UK's aquatic life, and is moving fish from the River Mole in Surrey to deeper and cooler pools because rivers levels have dropped so low. It also did so in Yorkshire in July. The Environment Agency also oversees the management of the UK's aquatic life, and is moving fish from the River Mole in Surrey to deeper and cooler pools because rivers levels have dropped so low. It did the same 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.
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 had severe droughts lasting months, 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.
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. 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.
The National Infrastructure Commission - which provides advice to the UK 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. In the UK, it's thought up to three billion litres of water are lost each day.
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.