Despite recent wet conditions, ‘further significant rainfall’ is needed before drought conditions can end, environment bosses warn
After a summer of record-breaking heatwaves and extreme dry conditions, rain is falling on England again.
The end of August and start of September have brought the country the wettest week since February as showers brought some much-needed relief to parched landscapes. Between 26mm and 48mm of rain fell across south-eastern and central England, according to environment bosses, improving river flows and helping dry land across England.
But “further significant rainfall is needed” before most water companies can return to business as usual, the Environment Agency (EA) warned.
Despite the recent showers, millions of people remain in drought status, and the rest in “prolonged dry weather” status – the stage before a drought is declared. East Anglia, Hertfordshire and North London, Thames, Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, the West Midlands, Wessex, Kent and South London, Solent and South Downs, the East Midlands, and Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire are all still in drought, with 10 water companies still enforcing temporary use bans.
Drought was declared across July and August as England battled extreme heatwaves, wildfires, and record-breaking dry spells in the hottest summer on record. England saw its driest July since data began, with only 7mm of rain measured, or 10 per cent of the long-term average.
The average temperature across June, July and August was 16.5C, beating the previous high of 16.1C set only last year.
Temperatures have fallen a little since the start of September, although some parts of England saw the mercury rise to around 28C over the weekend.
At the same time, increased rainfall has meant some drought pressures on the agricultural sector have eased, according to the EA.
But it said reservoir storage is continuing to decline at most public water supply reservoirs as demand exceeds recharge. Reservoir storage has fallen to 58 per cent nationally, remaining significantly below average, with 11 reservoirs now less than half full, environment bosses added.
“There has been no change to Environment Agency Area drought status this week, with 10 areas in drought status and the remainder in prolonged dry weather status,” they said.
“Despite recent rainfall, reservoir storage continues to decline at most public water supply reservoirs as demand exceeds recharge and remains significantly below average nationally. Temporary use bans (TUBs) remain in place across large parts of England and water companies continue to submit requests for drought powers, including drought permits and orders.”
Nine reservoirs are still classed as “exceptionally low” for the time of year, and all but one are still classed as below normal or lower.
Meanwhile, while cooling temperatures mean the demand for water has decreased, it “remains high” for some companies in the south of England, the EA said.
“Further significant rainfall is needed to return to normal water resource conditions for many water companies,” it added.
Heavy rain is expected across Tuesday, with some showers possible later in the week, according to the Met Office. In the north of England, Manchester is set to see showers from Thursday afternoon.
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