There’s a hosepipe ban because much of England is still in drought. A few weeks of rain isn’t going to fix things. If it isn’t an especially wet winter, the drought will carry over and next summer will be brutal on agriculture and the vulnerable.
The Met Office drought forecast for winter says it will be below average for rain. This is very bad news. The current EA Drought Prospects Report states
Dry Winter (80% of average rainfall)
This scenario would see drought conditions increase over the winter months because of the current low river flows, groundwater, and reservoir levels. By the end of March, a large area spanning from Dorset to East Yorkshire would be in drought. The south east, south west and East Anglia would be in prolonged dry weather with only the north west experiencing normal conditions.
This rainfall scenario would increase the risks to some crops, with a reduced breeding success of birds, an increased risk of wildfires and potential navigation closures.
Very Dry Winter (60% of average rainfall)
By spring 2026 all of England would be in drought. There would be reduced water for irrigating crops, reduced vegetable production and an impact on grass growth.
Most water companies would see impacts in either all or part of their supply area, meaning an expectation of hosepipe bans and non-essential use bans. There would also be the potential for permanent environmental damage as well as significant impacts in the leisure sector, such as golf clubs and football pitches.
Privatising Thames water is the reason our infrastructure is not capable dealing with a lower rainfall. Maybe if they built enough reservoirs and foxe dtheir damn leaks, we wouldn’t be shitting ourselves and wondering if showering is okay.
It’s more the hottest summer in at least 141 years, preceded by the driest spring in 132 years, with the 3 hottest springs all occurring since 2017. In addition, a century of intensive farming has used up the residual groundwater in many places.
A nationalised water system would be just as - if not more - investment averse. Look to the RAAC situation, or British Rail. Privatisation is not the root cause of the drought.
There’s a hosepipe ban because much of England is still in drought. A few weeks of rain isn’t going to fix things. If it isn’t an especially wet winter, the drought will carry over and next summer will be brutal on agriculture and the vulnerable.
The Met Office drought forecast for winter says it will be below average for rain. This is very bad news. The current EA Drought Prospects Report states
Frankly, no-one should be using hoses right now.
Privatising Thames water is the reason our infrastructure is not capable dealing with a lower rainfall. Maybe if they built enough reservoirs and foxe dtheir damn leaks, we wouldn’t be shitting ourselves and wondering if showering is okay.
ps i don’t even have a hose
It’s more the hottest summer in at least 141 years, preceded by the driest spring in 132 years, with the 3 hottest springs all occurring since 2017. In addition, a century of intensive farming has used up the residual groundwater in many places.
A nationalised water system would be just as - if not more - investment averse. Look to the RAAC situation, or British Rail. Privatisation is not the root cause of the drought.