Low water resources are leading to mixed harvesting conditions and some significant drops in yields as the National Drought Group upgrades water shortage warnings
Ongoing water shortages in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria and the Midlands has meant the UK drought is now defined as a “nationally significant incident”.
Five areas of the country are officially in drought conditions, with six more seeing prolonged dry weather following the driest six months to July since 1976.
A meeting of the National Drought Group (NDG) held yesterday (11 August) evaluated water resources and rainfall levels, before confirming the drought status.
Reservoir levels fell by two per cent last week and are now 67.7 per cent full on average across England. The average for the first week of August is 80.5 per cent, with last month’s average levels recorded as 75.6 per cent. Two rivers – Wye and Ely Ouse – were the lowest on record for July.
“The current situation is nationally significant, and we are calling on everyone to play their part and help reduce the pressure on our water environment,” said the Environment Agency’s director of water and NDG chair, Helen Wakeham.
Yorkshire Water has a universal hosepipe ban in place, while Thames, South East Water, and Southern Water have postcode-specific bans. Hertfordshire, Kent, Devon and Cornwall are classed as ‘normal’ in terms of water levels, with growers in the South West even reporting an abnormally good growing year.
Writing in a newsletter this week, Devon-based organic vegetable grower and founder of veg box company Riverford, Guy Singh-Watson, said: ”It’s been the best of years for growing veg on our small, steep, and stony fields. Pickers are happy harvesting good crops, and there is even a little in the bank.”
Elsewhere, extremely dry conditions have led to a mixed bag for harvesting with variable yields and crop quality. The pea harvest is set to be at least 25 per cent below contracted levels due to warm night temperatures, with the NFU warning some farmers are reporting a significant drop in yields.
“British farmers and growers continue to face extremely dry conditions, with harvest underway and crop yields proving mixed across the country,” said NFU vice president, Rachel Hallos.
“Some farms are reporting a significant drop in yields, which is financially devasting for the farm business and could have impacts for the UK’s overall harvest.
“What’s worked well during this drought has been early, coordinated communication with stakeholders around licence restrictions and drought permits and orders and it’s crucial this continues,” she added.
To avoid the swing between extreme drought and flooding and to secure water supplies for food production, the NFU has called for investment in water infrastructure and a more effective planning system.
“Water companies must continue to quickly fix leaks and lead the way in saving water,” Wakeham. ”We know the challenges farmers are facing and will continue to work with them, other land users, and businesses to ensure everyone acts sustainably.”
Ahead of another predicted spike in temperatures this week, Met Office chief meteorologist, Dr Will Lang, said: “As we move into the second half of August, there are indications of high pressure building and therefore largely settled conditions overall. Although dry weather is more likely, rain, showers or thunderstorms cannot be ruled out.”
Speaking after attending the meeting, the government’s water minister, Emma Hardy, said: “Working with the National Drought Group, the Government is urgently stepping up its response to ensure we are successfully managing the impacts of ongoing dry weather. Water companies must now take action to follow their drought plans - I will hold them to account if they del
