Yorkshire Water has become the latest company to announce a ban on standpipes as another heatwave ravages the country after months of low rainfall. The restrictions will come into effect from August 26, company director Neil Dewis said, citing fears of falling water supplies and the need to be careful about “clean water supplies and the long-term health of rivers” as the basis for the move. her decision. It comes as drought is expected to be declared for some of the worst-hit areas in southern and eastern England after many faced the driest July on record. On Thursday, experts warned that only “exceptional rainfall” in these worst-hit parts of the country in autumn and winter will ensure water resources return to normal before next year, sparking concerns that the restrictions will last until 2023. “The autumn-winter period as a whole will be critical in dictating the position of water resources as we get to 2023,” said Jamie Hannaford, a hydrologist at the UK’s Center for Ecology and Hydrology.
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Thames Water tube ban ‘could go ahead if drought declared’
Thames Water is “prepared to announce a drought-related pipe ban”, its director of strategy and regulatory affairs said. Kathryn Ross said there is a process in place to introduce a ban, but that could be overridden if an official drought declaration is made later on Friday. He told BBC Breakfast: “We have to wait and see what the government says and what exactly that means, possibly even later today. I don’t know, obviously we’ll think about it. “But as you’ve probably noticed, at Thames Water we’ve been asking our customers since the end of May to respond to the hot weather, respond to the dry weather and just really take steps to use water wisely.” Asked if a drought was declared, if the tire ban could come in immediately, she said: “Most likely, yes. We are ready to proceed with the tire ban. “Obviously before we introduce the ban itself, we need to be really ready with all our communications for people across the region so that we’re really clear for everyone what they can do, what they can’t do and if they’re having problems how to contact us. We are ready to do it.” Emily Atkinson 12 August 2022 08:44 1660289193
Extreme heat ‘more evidence’ of climate change, says minister
Cabinet minister Therese Coffey has called on water companies to “do their part” to reduce water leaks as another heatwave ravages the country after months of low rainfall. Asked whether the extreme heat that caused England’s drought was due to climate change, the Work and Pensions Secretary told Sky News: “I think it’s certainly more evidence, if people needed it, of the impact of extreme weather with the gradual changing climate’. He added: “In the short term, we have seen an increase in investment in the effort to reduce leakage … water companies must continue to do what they can to reduce unnecessary leakage.” Emily Atkinson 12 August 2022 08:26 1660287931
Sainsbury’s and Tesco stop sales of disposable barbecues amid ‘extreme’ fire risk
Sainsbury’s and Tescos are the latest supermarkets to halt sales of disposable barbecues amid fears they could start dangerous fires after the recent drought left grasslands like a box. It follows in the footsteps of Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Aldi in completely stopping sales of the potentially dangerous products. Tesco initially implemented a temporary local ban on sales of disposable barbecues near areas of outstanding beauty – a policy similar to the one currently in place at Co-op and Morrisons stores. Meanwhile, a Sainsbury’s spokesman said: “As a precautionary measure we are removing all single-use barbecues from sale until further notice. Safety is our highest priority and we have made this decision due to the hot and dry weather we are currently experiencing across the country. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and listen to customer feedback.” Here’s a petition on the UK government’s website calling for a national ban, which has so far garnered more than 20,000 signatures. Emily Atkinson 12 August 2022 08:05 1660287201
Drought could last until 2023, experts warn
Experts have warned that only “exceptional rainfall” in the worst-hit areas of southern and eastern England in autumn and winter would ensure water resources return to normal before next year, sparking concerns that the restrictions will last until 2023. “The autumn-winter period as a whole will be critical in dictating the position of water resources as we get to 2023,” said Jamie Hannaford, a hydrologist at the UK’s Center for Ecology and Hydrology. Emily Atkinson 12 August 2022 07:53 1660286171
Yorkshire Water announces first tube ban in 27 years as reservoir levels fall below 50%
Yorkshire Water has become the latest company to announce a tire ban, with the restrictions coming into effect from August 26. Yorkshire Water’s director of water, Neil Dewis, said: “Our decision to impose a tube ban is based on the risk that water supplies will continue to decline in the coming weeks and the need to be cautious about clean water supplies and long-term health of rivers. “ There is also a heat health warning from the UK’s Health Safety Agency, with experts advising people to take care of people who are older or with existing health conditions, as well as young children. Maryam Zakir-Hussain reports:
Yorkshire Water announces first tube ban in 27 years as reservoir levels fall
Yorkshire Water has become the latest company to announce a tire ban, with the restrictions coming into effect from August 26. Emily Atkinson 12 August 2022 07:36 1660285545
Drought may be declared in parts of England amid heatwave
Drought is expected to be declared in parts of England as a new heatwave ravages the country after months of low rainfall. There are expectations that drought could be declared for the worst-hit parts of England in the south and east, following the driest July on record for some areas and the driest first half of the year since 1976. The National Drought Task Force – made up of government and service officials, water companies and other groups such as the National Farmers Union (NFU) – is due to meet today to discuss the prolonged dry weather.
Drought is expected to be declared in parts of England as heatwave blazes through the UK
Temperatures are expected to rise into the mid-30s, with warnings of health risks and consequent fires. Sravasti Dasgupta12 August 2022 07:25 1660284000
In Pictures: Fires are raging across Europe
A man and a child monitor a fire in Carrapichana, Celorico da Beira, Portugal (REUTERS) A view shows trees and vegetation burning from a large fire in Hostens, as fires continue to spread in the Gironde region of southwestern France (REUTERS) A view of a house and car destroyed by fire in Belin-Beliet as fires continue to spread in the Gironde region of south-west France (REUTERS) A photo taken at night on August 11, 2022 shows the sky turning red as it is lit up by flames at a wildfire near Belin-Beliet, southwest France (AFP via Getty Images) Aisha Rimi12 August 2022 07:00 1660280400
Watch: Skies over southern France ablaze after wildfires rage across country
Fires: The skies over southern France are ablaze in apocalyptic scenes Aisha Rimi12 August 2022 06:00 1660276980
Government hits back at Labor claims they ‘put the smoke alarm on hold’
A government spokesman said: “The government is committed to ensuring fire services have the resources they need to keep us safe, including at fires, and overall fire and rescue authorities will receive around £2.5 billion in 2022 /23. “Lessons from July’s heatwave are being applied apace and we are carrying out daily risk assessments with key agencies involved to ensure we are fully prepared for extreme weather events. “We will outline our approach to the country’s resilience up to 2030 and ensure that we continue to be prepared to face all future challenges.” Aisha Rimi August 12, 2022 05:03 1660273260
The Met Office: Another warm and dry day is expected across the UK
Aisha Rimi 12 August 2022 04:01
