From floods to drought: the state of Britain's water
Updated on 24 June 2010
The north west faces the prospect of drought this summer, just months after severe flooding in parts of the region. And as rainfall hits its lowest levels in decades Channel 4 News asks, what's happening with our water?
United Utilities, the firm that supplies water to up to seven million people in the north west, is to apply for a drought permit after many reservoirs in the region dropped to below half their capacity. It's a measure that would affect people from cheshire to the Scottish borders
Six months ago part of the region was hit by severe flooding. More than a foot of rain fell in 24 hours in Cumbria, damaging thousands of homes and businesses, and causing four bridges to collapse.
Because of the region's geology, the north-west has no underground aquifers that are slowly and steadily replenished with water during the winter. Elsewhere, aquifers are reasonably full so there's no threat of drought. But the north west region relies almost exclusively on rain pouring into rivers to fill lakes and reservoirs for its water supplies - Manchester, for example, gets its water from the Lake District.
If there's no rain, the reservoirs don't fill up and drought is the inevitable consequence.
The problem is made worse as the summer approaches, not just because there's less rain anyway, but also because the ground has dried out. That means that when the rain does come, much of what falls goes to rehydrate the dry ground and very little finds its way into the rivers.
Many reservoirs in the north west are already only half full - and June is expected to be dry too.
Science Correspondent Julian Rush explains why the threat of drought this summer is confined to the north west of England.
"In simple terms, it just hasn't rained enough and the north west of England has the wrong sort of geology.
"It's been the driest start to the year in the region since 1929. Rainfall this past winter and spring has been well below average:
NW Region - Monthly average long term rainfall
December 97%
January 54%
February 75%
March 95%
April 48%
May 38%
"Because of the region's geology, the north-west has no underground aquifers that are slowly and steadily replenished with water during the winter. Elsewhere, aquifers are reasonably full so there's no threat of drought. But the north west region relies almost exclusively on rain pouring into rivers to fill lakes and reservoirs for its water supplies - Manchester, for example, gets its water from the Lake District.
"If there's no rain, the reservoirs don't fill up and drought is the inevitable consequence.The problem is made worse as the summer approaches, not just because there's less rain anyway, but also because the ground has dried out. That means that when the rain does come, much of what falls goes to rehydrate the dry ground and very little finds its way into the rivers.
Many reservoirs in the north west are already only half full - and June is expected to be dry too."
Blame it on the weather
Since the November floods Cumbria has had its lowest winter and spring rainfall since 1929. Rainfall in May was only 38 per cent of the regional average and June has been similarly dry.
United Utilities says levels in the region's reservoirs are hovering at around 65 per cent capacity, so the company wants to take water from the nearby Ennerdale reservoir in the Lake District in order to ensure to supply to West Cumbria.
John Sanders, a spokesman for United Utilities said: "Now, more than ever we need people to use water wisely. We're monitoring the situation day by day, but if we don't have any significant rainfall by the end of this month we will need a hosepipe ban to help conserve essential supplies.
Scottish Water is also seeking a drought order in order to draw supplies from other areas. With reservoir levels down in Dumfries and Galloway too, following a prolonged dry spell which saw May's rainfall at just 63 per cent of the average.
Hosepipe ban threat for millions of homeowners
-Click here for Nick Martin's report
Water supply in the UK
Water supply in the UK is made up of reservoirs fed by rainfall and rivers, and aquifers or underground reservoirs. The methods of water collection and supply vary in different regions in the country.
Geologically the north west has far fewer natural ground water supplies therefore relies more heavily on rainfall. In such areas water run off causes floods, but the is nowhere for that water to be stored.
Currently reservoirs are designed to hold water for a year, but the system is clearly not meeting the country’s needs. Jacob Tompkins, Director of the charity Waterwise says the whole waste and distribution system across the UK needs to be reviewed.
"Our changing climate is leading to uncertainty in weather patterns which is likely to lead to the occurrence of more droughts and flooding," he told Channel 4 News: "Our water catchment areas are set up for long term English drizzle not short, sharp, storms and floods.
"Everyone still needs to save water and must plan for a future where water is more valued."
Water usage in the UK
- Each person in the UK uses 150 litres of water a day
- Water consumption in the UK has been rising by one per cent a year since 1930
- Toilet flushing accounts for 30% of the UK's daily water use
- A running tap uses 6 litres of water a minute
- A shower can use anywhere between 9 – 45 litres per minute
- A hosepipe uses as much as 1000 litres per hour
Figures from Waterwise
Climate change and population growth
Water is scarce in parts of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as in England - large scale drought is already occurring in the UK, with the lowest rainfall, groundwater and reservoir levels for decades.
The Environment Agency warns that by 2050, many rivers could see a 50% to 80% reduction in average flows during summer months.
According to the charity Waterwise, the UK has less available water per person than most other European countries. London is drier than Istanbul, and the South East of England has less water available per person than the Sudan and Syria. The organisation wars that without
Insurty experts warn that droughts such as this reflect a fundamental change in Britain’s weather patterns. Water organisations like Water UK say policy needs to be changed to reflect the demands on the system imposed by climate change and increased population demands. They are calling on industry, consumers, Government, regulators and others to save water and to ensure a sustainable water supply.
How you can save water
- Turn the tap off when brushing teeth
- Don't flush the toilet unnecessarily
- Use left over water to water house plants
- Connect a water butt to the garden drainpipe
- Install a cistern displacement device in the toilet
- Fixing a dripping tap can save as much as 5000 litres a year
– If everyone in the UK fixed their dripping taps enough water would be saved to supply 120,000 people for a day
More tips at Waterwise
Is the coalition committed?
The new coalition government has pledged its committment to green issues, but it's proposals have failed to include a 'virtual water grid' a measure that was backed by Nick Herbert, the former shadow environment secretary for the Conservative Party, ahead of the general election.
Nick Reeves, executive director of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management says: "The environment cannot continue to be sidelined in the manner it was during the parties’ campaigns. Whilst the economy and banking crisis are clearly important issues requiring immediate actions, they are dwarfed in their potential impacts by what climate change could bring about in the future."
While the situation may sound alarming the Environment Agency has moved to reassure the public that there’s currently little threat to water supplies across the rest of England and Wales.
The organisation's Head of Water Rescources Trevor Bishop said: ''We are working closely with United Utilities to make sure they are doing everything they can to secure water supplies, manage customer demand and tackle leakage.
''Drought also has serious consequences for wildlife, and EA officers are increasing river monitoring to manage any environmental impacts from drought.
''The situation in north west England is a reminder that water is a precious resource which we must all use more wisely.''
