Earlier today (August 12) the Environment Agency confirmed drought status in eight of its 14 areas yet Somerset was not among them.

Senior decision makers from the Environment Agency, government, water companies and key representative groups, joined by Water Minister Steve Double, met to discuss the response to the driest summer in fifty years.

The National Drought Group discussed the current outlook and associated risks and impacts, agreeing to continue to collaborate to balance both water needs and water conservation.

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Drought areas

At the meeting, the Environment Agency said the drought trigger threshold had been met to move parts of the South West, parts of Southern and Central England, and the East of England into Drought.

The areas handed drought status were, Devon and Cornwall, Solent and South Downs, Kent and South London, Herts and North London, East Anglia, Thames, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, and East Midlands.

Drought map

Demonstrating the extent of the drought situation in the UK right now is the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology drought map.

The portal is a tool to help visualise the current weather conditions across the UK, and understand the severity and magnitude of drought across the UK over the past half century.

Somerset County Gazette: The drought map highlights which areas have been most severely affected by the lack of rainfall. Picture: Centre for Ecology & HydrologyThe drought map highlights which areas have been most severely affected by the lack of rainfall. Picture: Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

The data within the drought portal are based on the Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI) – an indicator of drought widely used internationally for drought monitoring.

Wessex Water

The triggers used to confirm today’s move to Drought status for large parts of the country include the “hydrological position” – such as rainfall, river flows, groundwater levels, reservoir levels, and the dryness of soils - as well as the impacts these conditions have on public water supply, those abstracting water, including farmers, and the environment.

The change in status to drought indicates the impact prolonged dry weather is having on water resources and the environment.

Somerset County Gazette: Wessex Water do not have plans to introduce a hosepipe ban. Picture: PAWessex Water do not have plans to introduce a hosepipe ban. Picture: PA

Earlier this week, Wessex Water provided their stance on government calls for a hosepipe ban.

A spokesperson said: “There are no supply problems in the Wessex Water region but we always encourage our customers to use water responsibly for the benefit of everyone and the environment.”

The utility company also explained Somerset’s unique water sources – a reason the county’s water supplies aren’t reduced to the same extent as other regions.

The spokesperson said: “We are unusual in that 75% of our water is groundwater and only 25% surface water from reservoirs. This contrasts with the national picture where only about 30% comes from groundwater.

“Groundwater is more resilient so providing we get 80% of normal winter rain, we will not have any problems next year.

“We have been able to maintain supplies for customers, while also protecting the environment.”

Action from the National Drought Group comes after the driest July on record for some areas and the driest first half of the year since 1976.

The last drought in England was 2018.