Downpours ensure water restrictions are ‘unlikely’

The Environment Agency moved this week to state that water restrictions on farmers and businesses were now “increasingly unlikely” and assured the public that water supplies, agricultural water stores and wildlife habitats have been replenished by April downpours.

It said that farm water reservoirs are now generally full and the likelihood of restrictions on spray irrigation has reduced.

However, there was a note of caution from the agency who warned that underground water levels are still low or exceptionally low in some areas, and some rivers are still at risk of drying up as ground water levels reduce over the summer with use.

Trevor Bishop, head of water resources at the Environment Agency, said: “We have seen a huge improvement in water resources in just a few short months, putting us in a much more positive position for the summer.

“While the downpours in April were pretty miserable, they were really welcome as water companies were able to refill their reservoirs, river levels are mostly back to normal, and many wildlife habitats that were suffering have recovered.

“But while the risk of drought with further water restrictions and associated environmental impacts this summer has reduced, the situation could deteriorate again next year if there is not enough rain this winter.

“We are still working with partners, planning for the impacts that a third dry winter could have on next year’s water supplies.”

Earlier this year the Government’s Environment Minister Richard Benyon told the Yorkshire Post that it was still unclear how the nation would cope were the country to endure a third successive dry winter.

The Environment Agency said that the wet weather in April and May has reduced the risk of further water restrictions and associated environmental impacts this summer.

It said that most river flows have returned to normal levels for the time of year, and almost all reservoirs are now at least 75 per cent full

April and May’s rainfall has also been said to have benefited many wildlife habitats, including vital wetland sites, that had been suffering the effects of the early dry weather.

However, in addition to groundwater levels remaining a concern across many parts of England it added that there is still a risk that some streams and wetlands will dry up as groundwater levels reduce further over the summer with use.

[email protected]