National Drought Group states that careful and proactive management of water resources is needed throughout the winter to reduce the risk of drought next year.

Participants at the latest National Drought Group (NDG) meeting have set out further action needed now and over winter to mitigate the impacts of drought on water supplies, agriculture and the environment next year. (photo: Environment Agency)

Senior decision makers from the Environment Agency, government, water companies and key representative groups, met on 28 September to discuss the current situation, which – despite recent rainfall – sees most areas across England still experiencing drought conditions.

Nearly half of reservoirs were classed as exceptionally low for the time of year in the most recent monthly water situation report for August, with total reservoir stocks at 52% of total capacity on 20 September.

September rainfall has had a limited positive impact on water levels, after six months of below average rainfall. Current September rainfall totals ranged from 47% of the long-term average (LTA) in north-west England to 89% of the LTA in south-east England. Very dry soils mean that rainfall will take longer to replenish groundwater and reservoir water levels.

As a result, most of England remains in drought, with 11 of the Environment Agency’s 14 areas in drought. Without average rainfall over autumn and winter, it is expected that the drought will continue into 2023.

National Drought Group members agreed to:

1. Take a proactive approach to implementing drought plan interventions and other, additional schemes, over the winter period.
2. Review the projections for autumn and winter and continue scenario planning into next year
3. Continue working collaboratively across sectors to manage the impacts on water supplies, the environment and agriculture.

Attending the National Drought Group meeting for the first time since taking up her role, Trudy Harrison, Minister for Water Security, said:

“I look forward to working with the Environment Agency, water companies and everyone else involved in the water industry to strengthen our water security”

A map of Environment Agency areas can be found here. The full news piece from the Environment agency can be read here.