Areas of Britain left bone dry by near-drought conditions were yesterday warned they were experiencing ‘a taste of things to come’.Environment minister Lord Henley said climate change would make parched springtimes more common and bring the threat of hosepipe bans.
England and Wales experienced a fifth of the normal rainfall in April, while March was the driest since 1961.
Rivers and reservoirs are lower than normal and in East Anglia the soil is as hard as concrete.
Lord Henley said: ‘The recent exceptionally dry weather is a snapshot of what we might expect from climate change.
‘Although there is no current need for drought measures, there has been understandable concern which underlines the importance of taking steps now to protect the water supply that could be under threat from a drier climate.’
His ministry, Defra, yesterday published reports from water companies on their plans to
They say that less rain, changing rainfall patterns and increased demand in hot weather could affect water supplies and reservoir levels.
More treatment will be needed for poorer quality water during heatwaves. Lord Henley added: ‘I’m delighted that these reports show the positive action water companies are already taking to address the long-term risks of climate change. Read More
