Droughts set to continue
Despite heavy rains and flash floods in April and early May, the Environment Agency (EA) has warned that much of the UK will remain in drought for the rest of the year
In making the waring the EA has once again urged businesses to improve how they manage water now, in order to prevent serious shortages next year.
In March, large areas of the southwest and the Midlands joined East Anglia, south-east England and Yorkshire in being designated as officially in drought.
While the recent downpours improved soil moisture and river flows, groundwater levels remain low, and are unlikely to improve unless there is steady rain this winter, says the agency.
With UK rainfall 60% below average between October 2011 and March 2012, Trevor Bishop, the EA’s head of water resources, confirmed: “A longer-term drought, lasting until Christmas and perhaps beyond, now looks more likely. While we’ve had some welcome rain recently, the problem has not gone away, and we would urge everyone to use water wisely.”