I still say it is lack of rain.
Take action now to save water for next year
16-Nov-2011
With less than half the normal rainfall during September and October in Northamptonshire, South Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire, the Environment Agency is asking people to take action now so there is enough water to go around next year.
The lack of rain this autumn comes after the driest spring for more than 100 years, with the year as a whole seeing farmers struggle to grow and lift crops and rivers and lakes with exceptionally low water levels.
Systems to move water between rivers and to take water from different sources below the ground have been run by the Environment Agency and water companies over the summer. Some farmers volunteered to reduce the amount of water they take and have been working together to make the best use of the water they do have. All these actions have helped ensure that the needs of people, the environment and business have continued to be balanced as effectively as possible over a very dry period.
David Hawley, an Environment Agency Manager said: ’Balancing the needs of people, businesses and the environment for water has been a difficult job this year. Farmers have been working hard to make the best use of the water they have and we’ve been busy planning supplies and monitoring what’s going on. But if we have a dry winter, this could make next year far more difficult for everyone than this year has been.
‘That’s why we’re asking everyone to look at their water use and see how it can be reduced now so that there’s enough to go around next year too.’
Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said: ‘Farmers, water companies and other abstractors have worked really hard over the summer to help keep our rivers flowing and head off any threat of hosepipe bans.
“Northamptonshire and South Lincolnshire are amongst a number of areas taking steps now to safeguard the water supply next summer and, despite our reputation as a rainy country, planning for unreliable rainfall is something we all need to do. That’s why, in a few weeks’ time, we’re going to set out our plans for a safe and secure water supply in the future.’
The Environment Agency is responsible for regulating the volume of water farmers, other businesses and public water supply companies, such as Anglian Water Services (AWS), can take from our rivers.
To ensure they make the best use of every drop they take, AWS is working closely with the Environment Agency to manage water supplies to its customers. The company has introduced a special task force to deal with mains leakage and is asking people to report any mains leaks they see. People are also being encouraged to take water saving measures as simple as turning the tap off when you brush your teeth, or keeping a bottle of water in the fridge rather than allowing the tap to run cold.
AWS is also submitting applications for winter drought permits. If granted, these will allow it to take more water from the River Nene over the winter months to fill reservoirs at Pitsford and Rutland. The Environment Agency will decide whether to grant this permit and in making the decision will consider risks to public water supply, the effects on other water users and any potential for environmental damage.
A transfer scheme managed by the Environment Agency has pumped 3,334 million gallons of water since the end of May to keep two major Lincolnshire rivers flowing. The Trent Witham Ancholme River Transfer Scheme takes water from the River Trent into the R Witham and then pumps it along a 17km underground pipeline to support water levels in the River Ancholme.
Farmers are already well aware of the difficulties this year and what they could be facing next year. Some might struggle to fill winter storage reservoirs if we don’t get more rain and are working with the Environment Agency to review their licences and with other farmers to manage supplies more effectively between them.
...even more sad its looking rough in a lot of rivers..
