Drought has been officially declared across some parts of England, including the East Midlands. The declaration comes after months of below-average rainfall which has left reservoirs and rivers running low across much of the country.
With Britain currently experiencing a heatwave and temperatures widely over 30C, the National Drought Group has declared large parts of England to be in drought. Hosepipe bans had already been introduced in some parts of the country.
Residents in the affected areas will be subject to restrictions on non-essential water use as a result of the drought declaration. Here’s what you need to know about the drought and what it means for you.
Read more: Met Office issues 4-day 'extreme heat' warning for Nottingham as temperatures to soar
Why is there a drought?
Drought has been declared in some parts of England because rainfall has been below usual levels for months. This has put water supplies under strain, prompting the Environment Agency to move some regions into official drought status.
England is currently experiencing its driest nine-month period since the drought year of 1976. South-east England saw below 10 per cent of its usual rainfall amount in July.
The Met Office has issued a four-day heat warning covering Nottingham, with temperatures rising to above 30C. The amber weather warning for extreme heat covers the period from Thursday, August 11 to Sunday, August 14.
Which areas are in drought?
Parts of central, southern and south-western England have been declared to be in drought, including eight of the Environment Agency’s 14 regions. The affected areas are as follows:
Devon and Cornwall
Solent and South Downs
Kent and South London
Herts and North London
East Anglia
Thames
Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire
East Midlands
The Guardian has reported that drought is likely to be declared in two more areas - Yorkshire and the West Midlands - later in August.
How is drought defined?
Drought is defined as an extended period of unusually dry weather putting water supplies under pressure. However, the Environment Agency says there is no fixed definition of what constitutes drought conditions.
What are the restrictions during a drought?
It’s not yet clear exactly what restrictions will be in place due to the drought. However, they are likely to be similar to those already imposed as part of hosepipe bans in the regions where these are in force.
If conditions continue to deteriorate, an extreme drought may be declared, leading to more stringent restrictions on water use. According to The Guardian, this could mean restrictions on commercial car washes and swimming pools, for example.
Should conditions worsen further after that, water companies could then apply to the government for an emergency drought order. This could allow them to ration water at certain times of the day, or require consumers to get their water from standpipes.
How long will the drought last?
It isn’t yet clear how long the drought will go on for. However, some experts believe that drought restrictions are likely to be in place until at least October.
However, The Telegraph reports that drought conditions could continue into next year. It quotes experts as stating that it would take “exceptional rainfall” to replenish water reserves to their normal levels before the end of this year.
Read next:
Met Office issues 24-hour weather warning for thunder across Nottinghamshire
The true impact of heatwave in Nottinghamshire pictured from space
Severn Trent outlines how people can 'use water wisely' in driest summer since 1911
Should you keep windows open or closed as 31C heatwave continues in Nottingham
When it's expected to rain in Nottingham as drought confirmed for East Midlands
