LONDON, Dec. 18 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
Heavy rain has pushedthe West Country'swater situationinto recovery with Wiltshire to follow suit once groundwater levels recharge.
Prolonged dry weather status - a precursor to drought - was announcedon 10 Julyby the Environment Agencyinits Wessex area, which includesBristol,Somerset, Dorset,Wiltshireandpart ofsouth Gloucestershire. This was because of the impact onthe environment and water sourcesfrom the lackof rainfall andhigh temperatures.
Englandexperiencedthe second driest six-month period (March to August) since records began in1871. If below-average rainfall continued, drought was expected in the West Country next March.
However, the Environment Agency has saidtoday (18 December) thatmost of Wessex isnow in a status of recovery because ofrecent,heavy rainfall.September saw142% of the long-term averagerainfall followedby 128%in Novemberand a wet start to December.
High river flows and the partial refillingofwater company reservoirs are signsthat the water situation isimproving.Butgroundwater levels in the chalk aquifer below the upper Hampshire Avonin Wiltshireremain exceptionallylow. This areafrom Devizes down to Salisburywill remain in prolonged dry weather until the aquifer is recharged. Sustained rainfall over the winter months isneededto ensure water is available for abstractions and river flows next year.
The Environment Agency's Wessex operational area, with part of Wiltshire to remain in prolonged dry weather until the groundwater aquifer recharges.
Ian Withers of the Environment Agency said:
The return of heavy rainhasbenefitedthe environmentafter averydry period.But there is no guarantee that sustained rainfall will continue. We still need a wet winter to preventthe water situationfrom deteriorating again.
Best practices for water sustainabilitycan'tbe discarded.Rain or shine, we all have aresponsibilityfor sensible water use.
The risk of floodingremainseven during a drought.Stay alert, follow flood warning guidance and be ready to deployanypersonal propertyprotection.
While droughts are caused by a shortage of available water due to low rainfall over time, floods can happen with intense rainfall events during the same time.Rivers can respond quickly to high rainfall events butthencan return quickly to a below normalflowsif there is not enough water available in the environment.Underground aquifers provide much of our drinking water and these need to be replenished over several months as water percolates through soil and into the ground.
The Environment Agencycloselymonitorsboth the risk of flooding and the risk of drought and is ready to respond.
Background
The Met Office long-term forecast is for the unsettled weather to continue. However, itremainspossible that a return to prolonged dry weather or even drought may occur, as higher than average rainfall over the next few months is needed to ensure adequate water supplies for next year.
For theEnvironment Agency'sWessexoperational area,themonthly rainfallfiguresand their long-term average for 2025 are:
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January: 137mm (154%)
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February: 76mm (116%)
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March: 8mm (11%)
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April: 36mm (68%)
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May: 26mm (44%)
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June: 46mm (76%)
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July: 30mm (50%)
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August: 39mm (54%)
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September: 95mm (142%)
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October: 88mm (88%)
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November: 135mm (128%)
Reservoir levels for Wessex Water and Bristol Water as of15Decemberwere94% and 77%, respectively.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
