In recent years the UK has announced water shortages each Spring. These have led to hosepipe bans around the country and other restrictions. Usually as soon as announcement is made that the UK is in trouble as far as water stocks go, the heavens open. Rain pours down as if to belie their words.
However in spite of this the overall rainfall in the UK is said to have diminished somewhat. Add to this poor water stocks management and you have a recipe for severe drought. Strange how smaller, drier and less wealthy countries such as Malta can solve their water shortage. The have operational de-salination plants for example.
Since the water services were de-regulated and slit into many smaller companies problems have increased. Major leaks of water are not always attended and stopped as quickly as they should be.
In previous dry periods in the UK, such as in 1975 ans 1976 advice was given out to help cut water usage. Let's face it 21st Century living often leads to a drain on water supplies. Dishwashers, automatic washing machines, our need to bathe more frequently than in the past and more do not help. Add to this the fact that the UK population continues to increase in number at an alarming rate and there will be no easy way out.
Minor changes such as turning the tap off whilst you clean your teeth will save a fair bit of water. After all does the tap have to be running as you brush your teeth? No. There are many water saving tips available and products that can also help save water.
Check out: Saving water in the home, and Teaching children how to save water, for more useful advice.
The UK government has in the past talked of shipping water from a rain soaked part of the country to a drought ravaged part of the country. In general their idea has been that the North of England will of course be wet. That it seems is no longer true.
Today's news, March 28, 2012, is that the drought has reached Yorkshire. The city of Hull is the worst affected city in the Yorkshire region. According to the Guardian the Environment Agency has said, "Swaths of east and south Yorkshire from Chesterfield up to Scarborough are officially suffering from drought, with areas around Sheffield, Doncaster, Hull and Driffield affected.
The areas join the south-east and eastern England in drought, most of which has been affected since earlier this year, although parts of East Anglia have been suffering drought conditions since last summer.This month, seven water companies across east and southern England announced hosepipe bans would come into force before Easter in a bid to conserve water supplies in the face of two unusually dry winters.
But while the rivers Don, Rother, Hull and Derwent are at low or very low levels for the time of year, the Environment Agency said public water supplies were unlikely to be affected in the region. Yorkshire Water said it did not anticipate any restrictions such as hosepipe bans at the moment. The company said its reservoirs were at 94%, which was normal for the time of year, but groundwater levels in east Yorkshire were around a fifth below usual levels.As a result the amount of water being taken from aquifers had been reduced and Hull's water supply was being supported by water drawn from the River Derwent."
We Brits like to complain about the weather. Fact. We never get used to rain. This year though we will have to hope that the current mini heatwave passes soon and a period of sustained rain sets in. The UK cannot endure drier winters followed by even drier Springs for much longer.
If it does not prices in the shops will increase and some foods will be in short supply.
However in spite of this the overall rainfall in the UK is said to have diminished somewhat. Add to this poor water stocks management and you have a recipe for severe drought. Strange how smaller, drier and less wealthy countries such as Malta can solve their water shortage. The have operational de-salination plants for example.
Since the water services were de-regulated and slit into many smaller companies problems have increased. Major leaks of water are not always attended and stopped as quickly as they should be.
In previous dry periods in the UK, such as in 1975 ans 1976 advice was given out to help cut water usage. Let's face it 21st Century living often leads to a drain on water supplies. Dishwashers, automatic washing machines, our need to bathe more frequently than in the past and more do not help. Add to this the fact that the UK population continues to increase in number at an alarming rate and there will be no easy way out.
Minor changes such as turning the tap off whilst you clean your teeth will save a fair bit of water. After all does the tap have to be running as you brush your teeth? No. There are many water saving tips available and products that can also help save water.
Check out: Saving water in the home, and Teaching children how to save water, for more useful advice.
The UK government has in the past talked of shipping water from a rain soaked part of the country to a drought ravaged part of the country. In general their idea has been that the North of England will of course be wet. That it seems is no longer true.
Today's news, March 28, 2012, is that the drought has reached Yorkshire. The city of Hull is the worst affected city in the Yorkshire region. According to the Guardian the Environment Agency has said, "Swaths of east and south Yorkshire from Chesterfield up to Scarborough are officially suffering from drought, with areas around Sheffield, Doncaster, Hull and Driffield affected.
The areas join the south-east and eastern England in drought, most of which has been affected since earlier this year, although parts of East Anglia have been suffering drought conditions since last summer.This month, seven water companies across east and southern England announced hosepipe bans would come into force before Easter in a bid to conserve water supplies in the face of two unusually dry winters.
But while the rivers Don, Rother, Hull and Derwent are at low or very low levels for the time of year, the Environment Agency said public water supplies were unlikely to be affected in the region. Yorkshire Water said it did not anticipate any restrictions such as hosepipe bans at the moment. The company said its reservoirs were at 94%, which was normal for the time of year, but groundwater levels in east Yorkshire were around a fifth below usual levels.As a result the amount of water being taken from aquifers had been reduced and Hull's water supply was being supported by water drawn from the River Derwent."
We Brits like to complain about the weather. Fact. We never get used to rain. This year though we will have to hope that the current mini heatwave passes soon and a period of sustained rain sets in. The UK cannot endure drier winters followed by even drier Springs for much longer.
If it does not prices in the shops will increase and some foods will be in short supply.
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