LET US SPRAY
BRITAIN is set for a summer drought crisis that could lead to a hosepipe ban following one of the wettest winters in history.
Experts warn we are likely to see more “very wet winters and very dry summers” and action is needed immediately to protect the country from the extremes.
Last year was one of the worst for flooding and drought in England since 2012.
Affinity Water warned of potential hosepipe bans this year after years of below average rainfall in the south east. And The Environment Agency says England will need 1.15billion more litres of water per day to be “more resilient to drought” from 2025.
The agency’s chairwoman
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A YOUNG deer is bathed in glorious light, captured in the and in Leeds, one-yearold early morning sunshine. Holly played in a
The picture, taken in field of blooming Ashley Heath, Dorset, is daffodils at Temple just one sign that spring Newsam Park.
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has sprung after weeks And 14 newly of rain and flooding. hatched ducklings
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Forecasters predict followed their mother warmer weather is as they foraged for on the way as the food on the Kennet and country sees out the Avon Canal between end of winter. Bradford-on-avon,
Blackpool Pier was Wilts, and Bath.
Emma Boyd said: “If we don’t take action, many areas of England will face water shortages by 2050.”
Ian Hepburn, of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, said: “Exceptionally serious drought and floods created a perfect storm for our waters and wildlife last year. Climate change means that without radical action many more years of flood and drought crises lie ahead.
“We need consistent and urgent investment in our water watchdogs, and natural flood and drought defences, or our rivers and lakes and wildlife that relies on them will deteriorate.”
Meanwhile, groundwater levels are lower than normal in 25 areas of the country, the most since records began in 2006.