WINCHESTER is among the list of locations that have been moved into drought status.

The Environment Agency has confirmed droughts for eight of its 14 territories, including the Solent and South Downs.

Today, August 12, the National Drought Group, joined by Water Minister Steve Double declared that the drought trigger threshold had been met by parts of the South West, parts of Southern and Central England, and the East of England into drought.

The areas drought status has been confirmed for:

  • Devon and Cornwall
  • Solent and South Downs
  • Kent and South London
  • Herts and North London
  • East Anglia
  • Thames
  • Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire
  • East Midlands

The Solent and South Downs territory includes locations such as Winchester, Southampton and Portsmouth.

 

 

Factors taken into consideration include the hydrological position (including rainfall, river flows, groundwater levels, reservoir levels, and the dryness of soils) and the impact these conditions have on public water supply, abstractors (including farmers) and the environment.

This impact is defined at a local level by the Environment Agency.

The National Drought Group is made up of senior decision makers from the Environment Agency, government, water companies and key representative groups.

The group, joined by water minister Steve Double, met earlier today, August 12, to consider what action needs to take place in response to the driest summer in 50 years. The decision makers agreed that further collaborative work needs to happen to balance water needs against conserving water.

Confirmation of the drought status is not directly equivalent to action. However, the Environment Agency and water companies will increase their action and continue putting their pre-agreed drought plans into practice.

These plans are based on local factors and led to the hosepipe ban that was implemented across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on Friday, August 5. The temporary use ban (TUB) was sparked by prolonged dry weather causing low river flows in the River Test and the River Itchen.

READ MORE: Hampshire hosepipe ban: What it means for you

Following discussions the National Drought Group has agreed to:

  • Recognise the new risks and impacts associated with the current outlook.
  • Ensure water companies are following their Drought plans.
  • Continue working collaboratively across sectors to manage current impacts – working together to balance water needs and conserve water.

Harvey Bradshaw, Environment Agency executive director for the environment and chair of the National Data Group said: “The current high temperatures we are experiencing have exacerbated pressures on wildlife and our water environment.

“EA staff are doing an excellent job responding to environmental impacts and working with water companies to make sure they are following their drought plans.

“Today’s meeting has helped to build on our coordinated action to manage water supplies, consider water users and protect the environment. We urge everyone to manage the amount of water they are using in this exceptionally dry period.”

Water minister Steve Double said: “We are currently experiencing a second heatwave after what was the driest July on record for parts of the country. Action is already being taken by the Government and other partners including the Environment Agency to manage the impacts.

“All water companies have reassured us that essential supplies are still safe, and we have made it clear it is their duty to maintain those supplies.

“We are better prepared than ever before for periods of dry weather, but we will continue to closely monitor the situation, including impacts on farmers and the environment, and take further action as needed.”

SEE ALSO: Mottisfont National Trust gardens battle the heat wave and conserve water to save the River Test

Environment Agency chief executive, Sir James Bevan, is set to chair another meeting of the National Drought Group with water company chief executives on Tuesday, August 23.

The latest report shows July as the driest month across England since 1935. The last recorded drought in England was in 2018.

To view the Environment Agency’s national report for July’s water situation, go to gov.uk/government/publications/water-situation-national-monthly-reports-for-england-2022