Anxious wait for rain in Norfolk after months of dry weather
Norfolk is facing an anxious wait for more rain after months of dry weather - sparking calls for urgent action to address the risks of future droughts.
Henry Cator, chairman of the Norfolk Strategic Flood Alliance (NSFA), said the next few weeks will be critical, with the region in desperate need of rain after one of the driest springs on record.
The East of England could follow the north east, where a drought has been officially declared and restrictions on water usage are due to come into place.
“Reservoir levels have fallen throughout the country,” Mr Cator said.
“We need an awful lot more water than what is coming out of the sky.
“While we are not in an immediate crisis after the recent rainfall the past week, we are not out of the woods yet.”
Met Office predictions forecast more rain this week, but a further dry spell is expected in the second half of June.
Warmer weather can bring thunderstorms. However, dry soil conditions create a higher risk of flash flooding as the water is not absorbed and it instead runs off quickly.
The Environment Agency (EA) said it is closely monitoring the implementation of water firms’ dry weather plans, working with farmers to help plan irrigation, and preparing advice to the public on small steps they can take to reduce water use.
A small number of abstraction licences – which allow for water to be taken from groundwater sources – have been stopped.
However, Anglian Water has said it has no plans for a hosepipe ban currently - but it has urged people to “do their bit” and conserve water.
A spokeswoman said: “We currently have no plans for a hosepipe ban this summer, following a wet start to last winter and plenty of rain the year before.
“However, we can all do our bit to reduce how much we use, so we can manage demand for water when the weather heats up.”
Its reservoirs are about 90% full at this time, the EA has said.
The firm hopes to install water smart meters in every home by the end of the decade to help people track their usage.
It will also invest £11billion in the region as part of its efforts to boost water security.
‘WATER EMERGENCY’
Last week, the Government intervened over plans to build two new reservoirs close to the Norfolk border in Cambridgeshire and another in Lincolnshire and has said it intends to fast-track their delivery.
Low-lying East Anglia is one of the driest regions in the UK, and water bosses say it is especially vulnerable to a changing climate.
But for Mr Cator, this is too little too late after decades of under-investment.
He has urged the Government to expedite more projects like this while also changing how we use water in order to avoid a water emergency.
He said: “I applaud the Government decision, but just because we have two new reservoirs, it doesn’t mean the end to our water problems.
“An increasing population, more housing and climate change – all these things will affect water demand.
“Rather than saying this is an emergency, these projects take years to come about due to slow planning systems.
“Water is the source of all life - without it we can not grow crops, but it is becoming an increasingly precious commodity.”
Using fresh water to flush toilets should also be changed to avoid wasting the commodity, Mr Cator added, and he has called for more schemes to help farmers build reservoirs on their land.
An EA spokesman added: “The East Anglia area faces serious water resources challenges, and we expect there will not be enough water for people and the environment in the future.
“We are working with partners and stakeholders to address water scarcity issues.”
TOP TIPS TO SAVE WATER
Anglian Water has shared five tips it claims will help conserve water this summer:
• Leave a jug of tap water in the fridge to cool down rather than running the tap until it’s cold. Make sure you stay safe and hydrated in the heat.
• If you have already filled a paddling pool for the day, do not empty it. You can save on your water bill by using gentle disinfectant tablets that keep the paddling pool water fresh for days of use and fun with the kids.
• If you cannot save the paddling pool for another day, reuse the water to wash the dog, the car or water the flower beds, before reaching for the hose.
• Learn to love your brown lawn – leave the sprinkler in the shed this summer. Grass is extremely hard to kill. Your lawn will soon bounce back and be vibrant and green again once the rain comes.
• Use your bath or washing up water to top up your water butt to use on your plants. Cutting showers to just five minutes a day can help save each household an approximate 28,000 litres of water and more than £100 in energy and water every year.
