The affected areas are: • Devon and Cornwall• Solent and South Downs• Kent and South London• Herts and North London• East Anglia• Thames• Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire• East Midlands The announcement means residents in those areas can expect to see restrictions on domestic and commercial water use. Another water company enforces a pipe ban – the weather is the last While the transition to drought does not automatically trigger action in itself, it does mean the Environment Agency and water companies will implement stages of pre-agreed plans. These plans follow local factors such as rainfall, the amount of water remaining in rivers, reservoirs and lakes, as well as temperature and water demand forecasts, and lead to temporary use bans such as pipe bans. Residents and businesses in the affected areas were urged to be “extremely vigilant” about pressures on resources and told to use water wisely. Read more: What happens during a drought and how you can help? “We are currently experiencing a second heat wave after the driest July on record in some parts of the country,” said Water Minister Steve Double. “We are better prepared than ever for periods of dry weather, but we will continue to monitor the situation closely, including the impact on farmers and the environment, and take further action as necessary.” The Environment Agency said main water supplies are safe and is urging water companies to continue their precautionary planning. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 2:48 Drought has been declared in parts of England Extreme heat warning extended Many parts of the country are seeing cold temperatures and little rain, with an orange extreme heat warning in place until Tuesday 16 August. By Friday afternoon, temperatures are expected to rise to 35C in southern parts of the UK, which will be warmer than the Bahamas, Jamaica and Barbados. Read more: Tire ban: What are the rules – and what are the exceptions? Who and where is the ‘extraordinary’ fire hazard – and how to avoid it An orange warning for extreme heat has also been issued for much of southern England and parts of east Wales. It was originally due to end at 6pm on Sunday, but has since been extended to Tuesday 16 August. However, the Met Office issued a yellow storm warning for most of the UK on Monday, warning of a “small chance” of homes and businesses being quickly flooded. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 0:49 Field fires break out as temperatures rise What is drought? Although all droughts are caused by a period of low rainfall, there is no single definition of one, meaning that each one is different. Continued dry conditions – following the driest July on record for some areas combined with last month’s record-breaking heatwave – have depleted rivers, reservoirs and aquifers. According to the Environment Agency, there have been five consecutive months of below average rainfall across all geographical areas of England and above average temperatures. The nature, timing and effects vary by location and affected sectors such as public water supply, agriculture, environment or industry are taken into account when a drought is declared for an area. The National Drought Group, made up of senior decision-makers from the Environment Agency, government, water companies and key representative groups, met earlier on Friday to discuss the factors before announcing the drought situation. Image: Cracks visible in the dried bed of Tittesworth Reservoir, Leek There are four stages of drought: • Prolonged dry weather stage (yellow) – where potential impacts include an increased risk of environmental damage, such as risk to wildlife and plants. Drought stage (amber) – stress on public and private water supplies, reduced yields of agricultural and horticultural crops, local fires and long-term impacts on habitats and wildlife • Severe drought stage (red) – extensive long-term environmental damage, widespread wildfires , crop or plant failure and lack of fodder and drinking water for livestock, failure of public and private water supplies• Drought recovery stage (amber) – which depends on the type and severity of the previous drought Subscribe to the Daily Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Spreaker The two most recent droughts were declared in 2018 and a more severe one in 2011. Where were the lawsuit bans imposed? In an effort to combat the depletion of water supplies, bans on the use of pipes have already been implemented in some areas. Southern Water has imposed a pipe ban on customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and temporary water restrictions are in place for South East Water customers in Kent and Sussex. Similar rules announced by Welsh Water for Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire are due to be introduced later this month. On August 26, Yorkshire Water customers will also be banned from using a hose to water their gardens, clean their vehicles, fill their pools or clean their homes. However, they will be allowed to complete these activities with tap water from a bucket or watering can or using non-tap water. And Thames Water has signaled it will introduce a pipe ban in the coming weeks as the hot, dry summer continues to take its toll.
