Free water storage tanks for farmers to help during drought
Arable farmer Mr Lay, who also has 200 beef cattle, said grass growth this year had been poor, which meant he would not be able to finish, or fatten, as many cows as usual through the winter. The yield on some fields was half as much as usual, he said. "A lot of farmers are using their winter supplies to feed their animals now because there's no grass on the fields," he added. To restore supplies, Mr Lay said he would need "some nice steady rain for a good month probably... ideally four or five millimetres every day"."We seem to get more heavy downpours, but when the ground is dry, the water runs off rather than soaking in."
STW said the water bowsers were for farmers to store water and maintain animal welfare as part of a new initiative to help manage water demand. The company's agricultural advisor Mark Biddulph said the next step was to expand the scheme into Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. The bowsers can be moved around and used where required or to collect rainwater to build resilience in dry spells, he said.
Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
22 minutes ago
- The Independent
Do not attempt to drive through flood water after heavy rainfall, motorists warned
Motorists must not drive through flood water, the Environmental Agency has warned. It comes as the UK is braced for heavy showers and thunderstorms in the coming days, which could leave motorists being stranded in flood water. Yellow warnings have been issued by the Met Office for thunderstorms and hail on Monday across much of England and Scotland, with a chance of up to 50mm of rain within a single hour. The thunderstorms could lead to significant travel disruption, and flood alerts have been issued urging motorists not to drive through deep or fast-flowing water. Chris Wilding, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: 'Slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms mean significant surface water flooding is possible across parts of the country today. 'Environment Agency teams will be out on the ground and supporting local authorities in responding to surface water flooding. 'We urge people not to drive though flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car. 'People should search 'check my flood risk' online, sign up for free flood warnings, and keep up-to-date with the latest situation with @EnvAgency on X.' The rain is set to be heavy and persistent across eastern Northern Ireland and western Scotland, while central and southern areas in the UK will see a mix of sunny spells and scattered thundery showers. The Met Office warned storms could pose a danger to life as well as damage to homes and businesses from flood water and lightning strikes, and transport delays and road closures. Temperatures would vary significantly depending on cloud cover and rainfall, remaining cool in most parts of the country, but rising to around 25C in central England. Tom Morgan, Met Office presenter and meteorologist, said: 'We have a warning for rain in place for much of the day to come. Some flooding on the roads is possible. 'And it won't just be Northern Ireland. (In) parts of western Scotland, parts of Wales and the South West, we'll also see some rain at times through the day. 'Further east, it's a different set-up entirely. A mixture of sunny spells and scattered heavy showers for Scotland, northern England, parts of the Midlands and East Anglia in the South East. 'In those sunny spells, we could see temperatures get into the mid-20s. But when those showers come along, you'll really know about it. '(There will be) some gusty winds, the potential for some hail, and certainly some frequent lightning and heavy rain as well. 'So, temperatures up to 25C in the warmest spots, but generally a little bit fresher out towards the west with the wind coming in from the Atlantic. 'By Monday evening, that rain will be starting to ease very slowly, but there'll still be showery outbreaks of rain through this evening and overnight for many northern and western parts of the UK.' Yellow warnings for thunderstorms remain in place for parts of Scotland on Tuesday, while the rest of the country will see a more mixed picture of sunny spells and scattered showers, with the rain continuing until the evening. Mr Morgan suggested that temperatures will remain high in places despite the adverse weather conditions. He said: 'Tuesday is not looking as unsettled. The showers won't be quite as widespread or indeed as heavy as they have been. 'Nonetheless, there will be some showers or longer spells of rain for Scotland in particular, the west, (and) northwestern parts of England as well. 'But many parts of England and Wales (will be) actually getting away with a fairly reasonable day with some dry periods. 'And if the sunshine does break through that cloud at times, well, we might see temperatures reach 24C or 25C.'
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Map reveals where hosepipe ban will come into force for millions today – despite storms bringing MONTH'S worth of rain
A HOSEPIPE ban affecting millions will come into force today, despite heavy downpours across the weekend. Scorching hot weather and extremely dry conditions this summer have led to a multitude of water companies implementing hosepipe bans, with anyone caught flouting the rules facing a £1,000 fine. Yorkshire Water, the first company to announce a ban, has had restrictions in place since July 11, with customers in much of Yorkshire, parts of north Lincolnshire and parts of Derbyshire banned from using hosepipes to water plants or wash cars. A ban affecting Kent and Sussex was then put in place on July 18, by South East Water. From today, July 21, one million people living in the Isle of Wight and Hampshire, face restrictions, as Southern Water's hosepipe ban begins. Restrictions will be brought in from 9 am, but other areas serviced by Southern Water, such as West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent won't be impacted. Southern Water managing director Tim McMahon apologised to customers and said: "Only by working together can we make sure there's enough water to go around for customers and the environment." And tomorrow, July 22, Swindon, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire will be placed under a ban by Thames Water. All four water companies have yet to confirm end dates for the bans. The restrictions have been put in place as the UK is battered with half a month's rainfall in 24 hours. The Met Office has forecast "heavy showers and thunderstorms" for today, with flooding and power cuts likely. Four weather warnings are in place across the country. Met Office issues SIX new warnings as thunderstorms, hail & flash floods to strike huge swathe of UK Much of the South East of England is covered by a yellow storm warning, covering large towns and cities such as Portsmouth, Brighton, and London. Another yellow warning is in place for the Midlands, North and most of Scotland. Half of Northern Ireland is either covered by a yellow warning or a more serious amber alert. Are there exemptions to the ban? Anyone found using a hosepipe during the ban will face a £1,000 fine. Full list of areas with hosepipe bans Yorkshire Water - a ban is in effect for all customers who get their water from the firm. Thames Water - a ban is taking effect in these postcodes: OX, GL, SN, RG4, RG8 and RG9 (Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Berkshire). South East Water - a ban is taking effect for households in Kent and Sussex, but not those in Surrey, Hampshire or Berkshire with the firm. Southern Water - Kent, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and East and West Sussex. However, there are some loopholes to the ban, for example, people are allowed to water newly laid turf for a restricted period, typically 28 days, to establish roots and prevent it from drying out. Or you can use a hosepipe for medical reasons such as if you need to fill a pool due to a disability or illness you have. Blue badge holders are typically exempt from bans, as well as gardeners using approved drip or trickle irrigation systems fitted with pressure-reducing valves. Anyone concerned about how their garden will cope during the ban should install a water butt, to collect rainwater in that can then be used for watering plants. You can also use old pasta water or bath water for your garden.
BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
Answering your questions on Southern Water hosepipe ban
As a hosepipe ban comes into force for almost one million people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, we've been going through some of your sifted through emails and messages to try and help people understand how the ban will impact comes after Southern Water announced the restriction last week because of "prolonged dry weather".The hosepipe ban applies to activities like watering the garden, washing cars and filling paddling pools - but there are exceptions. 'Will my local swimming pool shut?' Can I top up my pond or fountain with a hosepipe?No. Unless it's got fish in and then you I allowed to water my garden with a hosepipe to keep my prized plants alive?No. Only buckets or watering cans, unless you are on the priority register or registered disabled. Irrigation watering must be fitted with a pressure reducing valve and a timer, that is not I use a hose to water my allotment or vegetable patch?Southern Water says yes, but use a watering can if you can. Thames Water says hosepipes can still be used to water crops, if it can't reasonably be done with a watering can.I have a taxi or a limo. Can I use a hosepipe to clean it?No. Bucket and sponge my local swimming pool shut?No, they're not impacted by the ban. 'Can I wash my horse?' Will customers under Temporary Use Bans be entitled to some money back?No, you don't get a discount for a hosepipe ban. For an Emergency Drought Order you do, but this isn't I fill the water tank of my caravan or motorhome with a hosepipe?Yes. You can use water for activities like drinking, cooking and washing.I have recently re-turfed my lawn, can I use a hosepipe?You can for new turf or newly planted things for 28 days.I have a gardener. Can they use a hose on my garden?No. Hosepipes can't be used on domestic or non-commercial gardens or I use a hot tub or paddling pool during a hosepipe ban? I fill a hot tub or paddling pool?No. Not with a hose, only a bucket. You can fill a swimming pool if it's under construction or you're a I wash my horse with a hose?Yes. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
