Worst drought for 30 years brings threat of standpipes in the streets

[OpenMind]

Worst drought for 30 years brings threat of standpipes in the streets

By Charles Clover, Environment Editor

(Filed: 16/05/2006)

Water supplies may be reduced to standpipes in the streets in London and the South East this summer, the Environment Agency said yesterday, as ministers granted the first drought order in England and Wales for 10 years.

Sutton and East Surrey Water company was granted the order allowing it to ban a variety of non-essential uses of water including the watering of gardens, the filling of swimming pools and the washing of vehicles or aircraft for any reason other than safety.

The order, the step after a hosepipe ban, was granted by ministers in line with a recommendation by an inspector who investigated the application made by the company on March 17.

The drought, which has left underground water levels at historic lows in some areas, is predicted to be the worst since 1976, when standpipes were last used. If there is a hot, dry summer, it has the potential to be the worst in 100 years, said the agency.

Ian Pearson, the new environment minister, said he expected Sutton and East Surrey to use its powers "sensitively" to maximise water savings and to minimise the effects on peoples' lives and on small businesses.

Two other companies, Southern and Mid Kent, are waiting to hear the results of their applications for drought orders.

Eight companies have already introduced a hosepipe and sprinkler ban. They affect 13 million people in Kent, Sussex, London, the Isle of Wight and the Thames Valley.

The agency called on Thames Water to apply for a drought order immediately, as any further delay would increase the risk of standpipes appearing in London later in the year.

It urged Essex and Suffolk Water to introduce a hosepipe ban by the end of the month to reduce the risk of supply problems later.

The agency published a new report that said that Norfolk and Suffolk were now beginning to be affected.

It called for all water companies in the South East to provide clear information on how people and businesses could save water, urged them to apply for orders banning non-essential uses, and called for them to put more effort into finding and fixing leaks.

David King, the director of water management at the agency, said: "This is not just a problem for water companies - people and businesses must take this warning seriously and act to save more water."

Despite some reservoirs being nearly full, more than 70 per cent of the public water supply in the South East comes from ground water - where in some areas, levels are the lowest on record.

Over the last 18 months rainfall has been much lower than during the 1974-76 drought and has been very similar to the serious drought of 1932-34.

"But we're concerned the message may not be sinking in," said Dr King.

"Even if we are aware of the seriousness of this drought we can all be doing more to minimise the impact of water shortages on people, the economy and the environment."

Dr King said most water companies had taken the action the agency has been calling for since February but that reservoir and ground water levels were now starting to drop.

Water companies that had not introduced hosepipe bans or otherwise reduced the demand for water were putting water supplies at even greater risk, he said.

Dr King said that, as a result of two dry winters, this summer there would be more environmental problems, such as fish deaths and algal blooms because of low river levels and possibly restrictions on spray irrigation.

Since October 2005 south-east England has received about 390mm of rain, or 85 per cent of the average. The long-term average for this period is 450mm. Heavy rainfall last week increased river flows for a few days but made little difference to the long-term position.

With hot, dry weather the drought will spread into other areas, according to the agency. The east of England and the south Midlands are most vulnerable, but reservoir levels in Wales and the South West could also drop quickly.

The Consumer Council for Water warned that the new powers given to Sutton and East Surrey Water could have a real impact on people and their livelihoods.

Among the non-essential uses that could be banned are the cleaning of building exteriors, other than windows; the cleaning of windows by hosepipes and sprinklers; the cleaning of industrial premises for any reason other than safety or hygiene; the operation of ornamental fountains; and the operation of any cistern that flushes automatically when the building is unoccupied.

© Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2006.

[Bez]

We have had a hosepipe ban for nearly a year. I have not bought any bedding plants etc. this year to conserve water. I have been extremely careful not to waste water, only using the washing machine when I've got a full load etc.



I dread 'stand pipes' although I do believe there will be one quite close to me.

It beggars belief that in 2006, we will have to walk with some kind of a container to a tap in the road to get water :-5

[OpenMind]

There isn't a hosepipe ban in my area yet. But, living by myself, I am very sparing with water anyway. Like you, Bez, I only wash when there's a full load to wash. Plus, I flush the toilet only three times a day or after I've done no 2s. Washing up when I run out of stuff to use. Etc. My garden doesn't need watering.