The Environment Agency (EA) has urged water companies to do more to safeguard water supplies following the driest start to spring in 69 years. 

The environmental regulator convened a meeting of the National Drought Group earlier this week (Wednesday, May 7) and said that more needed to be done to cut leakage and help customers use water more wisely. 

According to the EA, in England, March was the driest since 1961 and April received just half its normal rainfall.

As a result, farmers have had to start irrigating crops earlier, leading to reservoir levels being either notably low or exceptionally low across the north-east and north-west of England.

Both these regions have seen their driest start to the year since 1929, the EA stated.

National Drought Group

Representatives from the EA told the meeting – which included the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, farmers, and conservation experts – that while no area is currently officially in drought, there is a medium risk of one this summer without sustained rainfall.

Chairing the meeting, EA deputy director of water, Richard Thompson, said: “The changing climate means we will see more summer droughts in the coming decades.

“The last two years were some of the wettest on record for England, but drier conditions at the start of this year mean a drought is a possibility and we need to be prepared.  

“It’s heartening to see more people looking to reduce their water use and we expect water companies to do more to cut leakage and rollout smart meters.”

While the EA said that there are currently no plans for hosepipe bans, if the prolonged dry weather continues, water companies may need to implement their dry weather plans in the weeks and months ahead. 

The EA said it is closely monitoring water companies’ implementation of these plans, especially high-risk locations, as well as working with farmers to help them plan for irrigating their crops.

The environmental regulator has prepared dry weather advice and information for the public, including small steps they can take to reduce usage. 

The EA has also called on the National Drought Group membership to take action to ensure they are prepared for drought. This includes:  

  • Water companies stepping up action on leakage and preparing their dry weather plans;
  • Water companies communicating with customers about current risk and supporting them to use water wisely during this dry period; 
  • Farmers to work with NFU to assess their water needs this summer and take action now to ensure they have enough to last the summer;
  • EA to work with fishery owners to have ensure plans are in place to manage dry weather.  

According to EA figures, by 2050, England will need to find an additional 5 billion litres of water a day to meet demand for public water supply. This is more than a third of the 14 billion litres of water currently put into public water supply. 

Minister for Water and Flooding, Emma Hardy, said: “Our water infrastructure is crumbling after years of underinvestment. Water companies must go further and faster to cut leaks and build the infrastructure needed to secure our water supply.

“The government has secured over £104 billion of private sector investment to fund essential infrastructure, including nine new reservoirs to secure our future water supply into the decades to come.”