Environment Agency declares drought across Yorkshire
A drought has been declared across Yorkshire by the Environment Agency.It follows weeks of unusually dry weather in the region, leading to low water levels in reservoirs and rivers.The announcement comes after England experienced its driest spring in more than 100 years, beaten only by 1893, according to the Met Office.Yorkshire Water has warned that temporary restrictions on water usage could be introduced if there is no significant rainfall in the coming months.
Claire Barrow, Yorkshire environment, planning and engagement manager at the Environment Agency, said: "Our climate is changing, and we had 22 days of almost no recorded rainfall in May."While we have had some rain at the start of June, it has not been enough to reverse the impacts of the prolonged dry weather."We are working with Yorkshire Water to make sure they enact their drought plans."Ms Barrow also encouraged people to be aware of the environmental impacts of droughts and take steps to save water.Yorkshire last experienced a drought in 2022, when a hosepipe ban was also put in place.
'Restrictions possible'
Water Minister Emma Hardy said she was receiving regular updates from the Environment Agency."I'm doing everything in my power to hold Yorkshire Water to account to ensure we have the regular supply of water that is needed across the region," she added.Met Office statistics showed that West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and South Yorkshire had seen just 40%, 43%, 40% and 41% of the average rainfall for March, April and May.Dave Kaye, director of water at Yorkshire Water, said: "We've seen water demand decrease in recent weeks thanks to the welcome rainfall and the efforts of our customers to save water."We had one of the driest springs on record, which has impacted our reservoir levels, meaning they are much lower than normal for this time of year."Without significant rainfall in the coming months, temporary usage restrictions are a possibility."Mr Kaye said that the drought declaration did not immediately change the situation for customers.But he said the firm would continue to work closely with the Environment Agency to manage resources carefully and move water around the region to areas that need it most.
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