Latest news with #water shortfalls
Yahoo
12-08-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Maps show areas under hosepipe ban as millions urged to restrict water use
England is now suffering from "nationally significant" water shortfalls, despite getting rain in July, officials have warned England is now suffering from "nationally significant" water shortfalls despite getting rain in July, officials have warned, as the country faces its latest heatwave. The national drought group, which includes the Met Office, regulators, government, water companies and other organisations, has met as five areas of the country remain in drought, with six more in prolonged dry weather status. Despite unsettled weather in July with many places seeing heavy rain or showers, it was still the fifth warmest on record, and dry weather has returned in August, with the fourth heatwave of the summer set to see temperatures climb into the 30s again– putting extra pressure on overstretched water supplies. A lack of water is causing widespread environmental and agricultural impacts in England, hitting crop yields, reducing feed for livestock, damaging wetlands and river wildlife, and increasing wildfires, the national drought group said. Water levels remain low, with many river flows and reservoir levels continuing to recede compared to June – and now sitting well below where they should be for the time of year. Reservoir levels fell 2% last week and are now 67.7% full on average across England, compared to the 80.5% normally seen for the first week of August and down on the 75.6% average last month, the Environment Agency said. The lowest reservoirs are Blithfield, Staffordshire, Derwent Valley group of reservoirs in Derbyshire, and Chew Valley Lake and Blagdon Lake in Somerset, all of which are less than half full. Nearly half of England's rivers (49%) had below normal, notable or exceptionally low flows in July, with two – the Wye and Ely Ouse – at their lowest on record. There are currently navigation closures or restrictions across sections of the Leeds and Liverpool, Macclesfield, Trent and Mersey, Peak Forest, Rochdale, Oxford and Grand Union Canal. Despite wet conditions for many in July, rainfall was 89% of the long-term average for the month across England, making it the sixth consecutive month of below-average rainfall, the Environment Agency (EA) said. Figures from the EA also show central England has had the driest February to July since 1921. Officials praised the public for following hosepipe bans, which are in place for all Yorkshire Water customers, and parts of the regions served by Thames Water, South East Water and Southern Water. Yorkshire Water reported a 10% reduction in domestic demand following their hosepipe ban – a saving of up to 80 million litres a day or 32 Olympic-sized swimming pools. As of Monday (11 August), hosepipe bans are in place in parts of Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Berkshire, meaning there are now four hosepipe bans in place across England following a spring and summer of record-breaking dry weather. Meanwhile, Yorkshire Water, South East Water, Southern Water and Thames Water have all introduced a temporary use ban (TUB), impacting a total of almost 8.8 million people. Yorkshire Water's ban, affecting 5.2 million people, came in on 11 July, while South East Water's, affecting 1.4 million in Kent and Sussex, arrived on 18 July, followed by a Southern Water ban in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, impacting a total of 935,000 customers. Thames Water's restrictions, which came into force on 22 July, covers thepostcodes beginning with OX, GL, SN, RG4, RG8 and RG9. Which areas of England could have droughts? Five areas are now in drought, according to the EA – Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire, Greater Merseyside and Cheshire, the East Midlands and the West Midlands. The EA has warned that three more areas could also be in drought status by September if rainfall remains low and temperatures remain high. These areas are Thames Wessex, parts of the Solent and South Downs, and parts of East Anglia and Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire. Six more areas are also in the "prolonged dry weather" category, characterised as the early stages of drought where dry weather is affecting river flows, groundwater levels and storage in reservoirs. So far, this includes areas such as the North East, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire and the Thames, parts of the South West covered by Wessex Water and the Solent and South Downs area. Which areas could introduce hosepipe bans? So far, hosepipe bans have been introduced by Yorkshire Water, South East Water, Thames Water and Southern Water - but where could be next? On 11 July, Cambridge Water – which is part of South Staffs Water – warned that it may have to introduce a hosepipe ban after the area's driest June since the famously hot summer of 1976. It said: "We are doing all we can to prevent any temporary usage restrictions, but this may be a possibility if demand does not drop, in order for us to continue to deliver a sustainable supply." Thames Water has so far ruled out bringing in a ban for those in the London area, but it did ask all of its customers "to be mindful of their water use". In the North West, water company United Utilities said on 8 July it had no plans to bring in a hosepipe ban, even though some of its regions are in drought status. However, as of 3 August, water levels in its reservoirs were at 58.7%, well below the average of 73.6% and last summer's level of 81.6%. In the North East, supplier Northumbrian Water said all three of its reservoir groups were at "below average" levels. As of 3 August, Weardale reservoirs were just 61% full. Severn Trent covers the Midlands and urged its customers last month to be "mindful of their water use". As of the beginning of August, a number of its reservoirs were at just above 50% storage capacity, although the overall average for its reservoirs is 71%. However, Severn Trent has not had a hosepipe ban since 1995, and said earlier this summer that it is confident it won't need one this year. Anglian Water, which covers the East of England, said on 16 July it was "closely monitoring the situation and if the exceptionally dry weather does continue, then restrictions might still be needed this summer". It said in July that five of its six reservoirs are currently at "below average" storage. Can you use a watering can during a hosepipe ban? Hosepipe bans are officially known as temporary use bans, or TUBs – the rules of which are set out in the Water Industry Act 1991. A TUB prohibits people from using a hosepipe that is connected to their mains water supply. There are a number of activities which are banned as a result. These include: Watering a garden using a hosepipe, which includes a park, a lawn, a grass verge, an area used for sport, an allotment or any other green space Cleaning your car with a hosepipe Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises Washing a private boat using a hosepipe Filling a domestic swimming pool or paddling pool Drawing water using a hosepipe for domestic recreational use Filling or maintaining a domestic pond Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain with a hosepipe The purpose of TUBs is to reduce demand for water when supplies are low, with the EA saying they can reduce the amount of water that companies put in their distribution network by 3% to 5%. Customers who ignore a hosepipe ban could face fines of up to £1,000, but Yorkshire Water said 'we hope it won't come to that' as it urged households to stick to the restrictions. People can still wash their car and water their gardens using tap water from a bucket or watering can, while businesses will be allowed to use a hosepipe if it is directly related to an essential commercial purpose (but not for something like cleaning paths outside a property). Who is exempt from the hosepipe ban? TUBs do not apply to customers on water companies' Priority Services Register, which includes those living with a chronic or serious illness, dementia, mobility constraints or those who are blind. Customers who have medical equipment such as a stair lift, hoist or electric bed, heart or lung ventilator are also exempt from the hosepipe ban. Customers who are registered disabled or are blue badge holders do not have to adhere to the TUB.
The Independent
12-08-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Temperatures to soar to 34C as UK braces for fourth heatwave
Temperatures in the UK are set to soar to 34C in some places as the nation braces for its fourth heatwave of the summer. Authorities have warned that there could be a rise in deaths a s amber and yellow health alerts come into effect at 9am on Tuesday. The hot and dry conditions have prompted officials to warn England is suffering from 'nationally significant' water shortfalls despite rain in July, as fires were seen in areas of east London on Monday. Southern areas including Berkshire, Oxfordshire and outskirts of London such as Heathrow may reach 34C on Tuesday as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) set heat health warnings for all of England. The East Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, London and the south east, which are all under more severe amber alerts, have been warned there could be a rise in deaths particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. However, the UKHSA added that there may also be impacts on younger age groups, with a likely increase in demand for health and social care services. On Monday, officials warned that England is suffering from 'nationally significant' water shortfalls despite rain in July. The national drought group – which includes the Met Office, regulators, government, water companies and other organisations – has met as five areas of the country remain 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. Wednesday could bring 33C to 34C heat to eastern England including Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and East Anglia, and Thursday may see 29C to 30C in London and East Anglia. Monday's highest temperature was 31.9C at Heathrow. Seasonal averages are generally between 18C and 22C in Britain, and go up to 23C for London. Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said on Monday that the UK is on day two of the heatwave and there is 'overall a very hot, very warm week to come'. The Met Office defines a heatwave as temperatures meeting or exceeding a certain threshold for three consecutive days or more. This is 25C for most of the UK, but rises to 28C in London and its surrounding area, where temperatures are typically higher. Lower pressure to the west and higher pressure to the east of the country is creating a southerly airflow which is drawing in hot and humid air from Europe, he added. The near continent is experiencing high temperatures with France reaching the low 40Cs on Monday. 'As we go through the week, there's lots of sunshine and the air isn't really going anywhere … that sort of then hangs around,' he added. 'It's drawing in at the moment and then sort of stays across the UK for the rest of the week.' Wales may see its hottest day of the year on Tuesday but temperatures are not expected to break 2025 records in other parts of the UK. England's high for 2025 stands at 35.8C recorded in Faversham, Kent, on July 1.
The Independent
11-08-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Water shortfall in England now ‘nationally significant', drought officials warn
England is now suffering from 'nationally significant' water shortfalls despite rain in July, officials warned as the country faces more hot, dry conditions. The national drought group, which includes the Met Office, regulators, government, water companies and other organisations, has met as five areas of the country remain 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. Despite unsettled weather in July with many places seeing heavy rain or showers, it was still the fifth warmest on record. Many river flows and reservoir levels continued to recede compared to June – and are now well below where they should be for the time of year. Dry weather has returned in August, with the fourth heatwave of the summer set to see temperatures climb into the 30s once more – putting extra pressure on overstretched water supplies. Reservoir levels fell 2% last week and are now 67.7% full on average across England, compared to the 80.5% normally seen for the first week of August and down on the 75.6% average last month, the Environment Agency said. The lowest reservoirs are Blithfield, Staffordshire, Derwent Valley group of reservoirs in Derbyshire, and Chew Valley Lake and Blagdon Lake in Somerset, all of which are less than half full. Nearly half of England's rivers (49%) had below normal, notable or exceptionally low flows in July, with two – the Wye and Ely Ouse – at their lowest on record. There are currently navigation closures or restrictions across sections of the Leeds and Liverpool, Macclesfield, Trent and Mersey, Peak Forest, Rochdale, Oxford and Grand Union Canal. Despite wet conditions for many in July, rainfall was 89% of the long-term average for the month across England, making it the sixth consecutive month of below-average rainfall, the Environment Agency (EA) said. Figures from the EA also show central England has had the driest February to July since 1921. There appears to be no or little let-up in the dry conditions for some areas in the coming days, according to the Met Office. Dr Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'This week is starting off warmer than of late across England and Wales, with temperatures getting towards the mid-30s Celsius for some in the south. 'While conditions remain mostly settled across the south, the picture is more unsettled further north-west, with rain or showers at times. 'As we move into the second half of August there are indications of high pressure building and therefore largely settled conditions overall. 'Although dry weather is more likely, rain, showers or thunderstorms cannot be ruled out.' Officials have praised the public for following hosepipe bans, which are in place for all Yorkshire Water customers, and parts of the regions served by Thames Water, South East Water and Southern Water. People are being urged to take simple actions such as turning off taps and deleting old emails – which reduces demand for water to cool data centres – to help reduce the impact on the environment. Yorkshire Water has reported a 10% reduction in domestic demand following their hosepipe ban – a saving of up to 80 million litres a day or 32 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The EA's director of water and national drought group chairwoman Helen Wakeham said: 'The current situation is nationally significant and we are calling on everyone to play their part and help reduce the pressure on our water environment. 'Water companies must continue to quickly fix leaks and lead the way in saving water. 'We know the challenges farmers are facing and will continue to work with them, other land users and businesses to ensure everyone acts sustainably. 'We are grateful to the public for following the restrictions, where in place, to conserve water in these dry conditions. 'Simple, everyday choices – such as turning off a tap or deleting old emails – also really helps the collective effort to reduce demand and help preserve the health of our rivers and wildlife.' National Farmers' Union vice-president Rachel Hallos said farmers and growers continued to face extremely dry conditions. 'Some farms are reporting significant drop in yields which is financially devastating for the farm business and could have impacts for the UK's overall harvest,' she said. 'Farming is a long-term industry and there is growing concern about the months ahead. 'Minimal grass growth means many livestock farmers are already tapping into winter feed stocks, raising the risk of higher production costs later in the year.' She called for investment in water infrastructure and a more effective planning system. Experts warn periods of dry weather and low rivers – some of which are used to provide drinking water for people in the regions through which they flow – reduce oxygen levels in water that can lead to fish kills, algal blooms and prevent wildlife moving up and down the river. Drying out wetlands hits species that rely on the habitat while an increase of wildfires are hitting heathland and moorland. A major incident declared at a wildfire at Holt Heath, Dorset – along with the blaze on Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh – prompted the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) to issue a warning that fire services do not have the resources to keep the public safe. With rising temperatures this week, fire and rescue services are likely to face an increase in incidents, but funding cuts have left them without enough crews and resources, the FBU said, pointing to the Holt Heath fire which drew in firefighters from five neighbouring services. FBU general secretary Steve Wright said wildfires were 'intensive and dangerous incidents' which required large numbers of firefighters and specialist equipment. 'These incidents are on the rise as a result of the climate emergency and, as the last 24 hours have shown, they are happening in areas across the UK,' he said, warning budget cuts meant services did not have the resources to cope. He added: 'To protect the public, the Government must provide the investment needed to address this crisis and rebuild resilience.'
