Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 8
England, Wales Keep Drought Status and 10 Hosepipe Bans Despite 48mm of Rain
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 8

England, Wales Keep Drought Status and 10 Hosepipe Bans Despite 48mm of Rain

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 8

Summary

  • All of Wales and most of England remain in drought, and temporary hosepipe bans are still in force across 10 water company areas despite a wetter start to September.
  • 48mm of rain fell in central England in the week to Sept. 3—the heaviest weekly totals since early February—but the Environment Agency said sustained rainfall is still needed and reservoir storage kept declining in most areas.
  • Some reservoirs are already under acute strain, with Dove Stone in Greater Manchester described as "exceptionally low," while southern England and south Wales stayed largely dry in early September, with some places recording less than 1mm.
  • Up to 15mm more rain is forecast in southern England this week, but the long-range outlook shows no significant rainfall across England and Wales for at least the next month, limiting prospects for drought relief.

Insights

If the wettest week since February could not end drought, how severe is the water crisis across England and Wales really?
Why are reservoirs still falling after widespread rain, and how much wetter must autumn be to lift UK drought conditions?
Is this drought just a dry spell, or a warning that the UK’s water system is unprepared for climate whiplash?