Yorkshire Water reservoir levels at 'historic low' during drought
Mr Padgett continued: "On the long-range forecast, we see a dried and settled period for much of August, which is suggesting we're going to see normal or slightly drier conditions that we'd normally expect for this time of year. "This is not likely to give us any respite for drought conditions in Yorkshire."The only occasion water levels at Yorkshire Water sites have been lower was in 1995, but the drought peaked later in the year. The current levels are the lowest ever recorded in August.One consequence of low reservoir levels has been an increasing number of incidents of fish being in distress. "We've had to carry out a number of fish rescues already across Yorkshire," Mr Padgett said. Yorkshire Water has asked for permission to take water from rivers to meet demand.The company has applied to the Environment Agency for 14 drought permits, which will enable it to save water. This includes 12 permits in its northwest reservoir group, and two for its river abstractions on the River Wharfe. It has also applied for a drought order for on the River Ouse at York, which will allow Yorkshire Water to put less water into the supply from reservoirs to help conserve water supplies. If approved, a drought order would apply for up to six months. Dave Kaye, director of water at Yorkshire Water, said: "We're applying to Defra for a drought order to temporarily draw more water from the River Ouse when conditions allow. "This step, if approved, will reduce the pressure on our reservoirs and help to extend vital water supplies through summer, as well as enabling recovery into the autumn and winter months."It's not a decision we've made lightly, but it is the next essential step to protect water supplies for our customers and to protect the environment after an extremely dry year so far and the declaration of drought in our region."A hosepipe ban was implemented on 11 July across much of Yorkshire after an extended spell of dry weather. Domestic water usage subsequently dropped by 10%.Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
River Wharfe drought permit should be last resort
Campaigners have urged the Environment Agency to delay granting a water company permission to draw extra supplies from the River Water has applied for a drought order allowing it to extract additional water from river at Lobwood, near Ilkley, and to reduce the amount it releases into the river from Grimwith firm said the application was an "essential step" to protect water supplies and the environment after "an extremely dry year".However, Prof Beck Malby, from the Ilkley Clean River Group, said the Wharfe was already struggling in the conditions and urged Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency to explore other alternative steps. "I've never seen the river so low and I've lived her 30 years," she said."You can walk across at this point [where I'm standing] and normally this is incredibly deep."So there is really very little water left for wildlife, for the natural habitats to survive here." Prof Malby said she believed the drought order should only be granted as a last resort and "not until we've done everything else first.""And, everything else first means a massive public campaign to ensure that we can all reduce our water consumption," she said."And Yorkshire Water should be taking the lead with the Environment Agency on that." Environment Agency specialist Tom Padgett said the permit would allow Yorkshire Water to reduce how much water it pumped from the reservoir to "top up" natural flows within the river. He said: "That would allow the reservoir stocks to remain for longer, so protects that level of public supply. "Although we have to ensure, at the Environment Agency, that that doesn't have a knock-on impact on the environment downstream." A decision on the application - and a third to allow the firm to extract additional water from the River Ouse, near York - is expected to be made in the week beginning 25 August, he said. Yorkshire Water customers have been subject to a hosepipe ban since 11 July amid a prolonged spell of warm and dry weather in the week the company said it had not ruled out extending the ban to businesses after water levels at its reservoirs dropped to 42.2% capacity.A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: "The drought permit we applied for on the Wharfe is an important part of the next stage of our Drought Plan."If granted, it will allow us to temporarily draw more water from the Wharfe when conditions allow."This will help to reduce the pressure on our reservoir stock in the short-term, as well as enabling them to recharge and refill quicker through the autumn and winter months."It is an essential step to protect water supplies and the environment after an extremely dry year and the declaration of drought in our region, which has been brought about by six consecutive months of below average rainfall."A hosepipe ban was implemented on 11 July across much of Yorkshire after an extended spell of dry water usage subsequently dropped by 10%.Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
The Independent
10 hours ago
- The Independent
Dry weather to continue across most of UK as heatwave comes to an end
Dry weather is set to continue for most of the UK following last week's heatwave. Parts of the country could see temperatures reach 27C on Monday and Tuesday. A northeasterly breeze means northern and eastern parts of the UK will be cooler on these days, reaching up to the low-20s. Some showers with the odd rumble of thunder could hit south-west England and south Wales on Monday and Tuesday, but most places will be dry throughout the week. Wetter, windier and more unsettled weather may move in from the Atlantic by Bank Holiday Monday. The continued dry spell comes after officials warned England was suffering from 'nationally significant' water shortfalls, despite rain in July. Sunday's highest temperature was 27.7C in Somerset, while West Sussex and Inverness, Scotland, also reached 27C. Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: 'Where people get the sunshine it'll still feel fairly pleasant, it'll just be a bit chillier than it has been of late.' He added: 'We had a couple of cooler days, yesterday (and) the day before. 'The odd spot here and there might be just holding on to a heatwave, but I think most places have dipped below their criteria and may have sort of come up again. 'I would say (the heatwave) finished over the weekend.' Clouds are expected to arrive later in the week and the cooler air in the north and east will travel towards southern and western areas. Maximum temperatures will fall to 23C to 24C by Wednesday and Thursday. But the temperatures could push back up to the high-20s by the weekend, particularly during sunny spells, caused by the winds turning southerly. The national drought group, which includes the Met Office, regulators, government, water companies and other organisations, said on Tuesday that it had met as five areas of the country remained in drought, with six more in prolonged dry weather status. England is seeing widespread environmental and agricultural impacts from the lack of water, which is hitting crop yields, reducing feed for livestock, damaging wetlands and river wildlife, and increasing wildfires, the group said. Experts warn climate change is driving more extreme weather conditions in the UK, worsening drought and dry spells, and making heatwaves more frequent and severe.
BBC News
12 hours ago
- BBC News
Outbuilding blaze in Southend spreads to rubbish pile and trees
Firefighters have been tackling a large fire in Southend, with nearby residents advised to keep their doors and windows shut to keep out County Fire and Rescue Service was called at about 16:00 BST to Eastern commander Dean Riley said: "Crews arrived to a well developed fire which was spreading from an outbuilding to a pile of rubbish and nearby trees."Firefighters have worked hard in very warm weather conditions to surround the fire and stop it from spreading to nearby buildings and a supermarket." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
