After an exceptionally wet 2024, the current remarkable change in the weather – little or no rain for several months – is causing concern. The April showers rarely if ever came. In fact, rainfall for England in April was half of the long-term average. Water, so fundamental to life and livelihoods, is in short supply.
The Met Office reports the driest February to April since 1956 in England. Soil moisture levels have decreased significantly. Throughout this region river levels are low and increasingly, the environment is at risk from wildfires. Wildlife health is compromised too and food production is also under pressure as a result of the current weather conditions.
The impact
The Rivers Trust reports that population growth and the resulting water abstraction from rivers and the aquifers that feed them has placed a massive strain on freshwater resources. When river flows are low and water levels drop, the concentration of pollutants increases to toxic levels, water temperatures rise and the freshwater ecosystem suffers.
The decreased concentration of oxygen in water impacts flora and fauna. Low water levels can prevent certain species of fish from migrating, disrupting their lifecycle. Dry ponds and streams spell disaster for thirsty wildlife.
East Anglia has the lowest average rainfall and amongst the highest average temperatures in England. Soils are reported to be drier in April than March. Time will tell what the impact on food security will be from the dry weather and lack of April showers. However, farmers are already reporting that their wheat crops are affected.
Nick Deane, an arable farmer in Hoveton, Norfolk, started irrigating in March. “We have to ration our water and decide which areas we are going to put that water on in order to keep the crops growing.”
Deepdale Farm is on the North Norfolk coast and is part of the Nature Friendly Farming Network. To help minimise their need to irrigate, they have changed their farming practices and the crops grown in response to the uncertain climate. Owner Anna Biesty told East Anglia Bylines that they use catch and cover crops to provide continuous ground cover. Avoiding exposing bare earth to the sun helps with water retention and minimises irrigation. Though, due to this exceptionally dry year, the farm has also had to start irrigation.
What are water companies doing?
Anglian Water reports that approximately 50% of its water supply is provided by groundwater abstracted from over 200 sources, comprising more than 450 operational boreholes. Groundwater levels have generally decreased throughout April, although the Hertfordshire levels is an outlier recording a normal to notably high amount of groundwater.
The water companies are required to take action in a drought and increase their resilience to more severe droughts. They have drought contingency plans to manage periods of prolonged dry weather and drought, some of which involves moving water across the country. Other actions include advising customers how to use water more wisely, implementing customer restrictions through temporary use bans (often referred to as hosepipe bans) and reducing leakages. Though given an ongoing leak that has been pouring water onto a lane in Edingthorpe, Norfolk, for a good number of years, many may wonder how seriously water companies take this commitment to reducing leaks.
Across England 10 new reservoirs are proposed, with two in East Anglia. But with start dates ranging from 2033 to 2040 are these coming too late? Anglian Water is also proposing three desalination plants in Holland on Sea, Maplethorpe and Bacton, but not until 2040. That’s 15 years of waiting and hoping that climate change and drought will not impact the water needs of a growing population, let alone wildlife.
What can we do?
With reservoirs at 85% of normal capacity, judicious use of water is now required to avoid the need for more draconian measures should the dry weather persist.
Japanese toilets are so arranged that there is a sink incorporated into the cistern. Water from washing hands fills the cistern. Practical for water reuse and space. Similar toilets are now available in the UK. Germany has had a domestic greywater – shower, bath, hand-washing – system for decades that reuses the water to flush the toilet or irrigate the garden.
Conversion to such systems may not be financially practical. But here are some actions you could take for both house and garden:
- Install rain butts to collect rainwater.
- Use water from the kitchen to water your plants.
- Run dishwasher only when full.
- Take shorter showers.
- Place a bucket in the shower to collect water and reuse to water the garden or to flush the toilet.
- While waiting for the warm water to come through, collect the cold in a receptacle and use for plants.
- Avoid running the tap when brushing your teeth, turn on only when needed.
- Fix a leaking toilet – leaky loos can waste 200-400 litres a day.
- Adopt a yellow mellow toilet regime.
- Practice No Mow May, and beyond. Longer grass traps morning dew and stays green.
- Mimic the practice of continuous ground cover in your veg plot by covering exposed soil with large discarded leaves or growing companion plants
- Water tomato plants from below or deep into soil via a tube or cut bottle, so dry soil on top holds moisture in.
And if you have any suggestions for our readers, please share with us.
Lastly, birds and wildlife need water as much as we do. Moist worms will be deep underground. So if feeding birds dried meal or calci worms moisten them first to help them, and their chicks, stay hydrated. And don’t forget to keep the garden bird bath topped up with clean water. You’ll enjoy their splashing around as much as they do.
