Midlands enters drought after hottest June on record: What restrictions are in place?
Parts of the West and East Midlands have officially entered drought, following record-breaking heat and low rainfall. With river flows at their lowest since 1976, water demand is rising—and concerns are growing over supply, farming, and wildlife. Richard Gullick reports from Birmingham.
It follows record-breaking heat, unusually low rainfall, and rivers running dry.
Millions of people could be affected if conditions don’t change.
Water firms are under pressure to fix leaks and maintain supply, while farmers and wildlife brace for impact.
Watch the video: Richard Gullick reports.
River flows are at their lowest in nearly fifty years, and June saw just a fifth less rainfall than usual.
But that doesn’t tell the whole story.
It was also England’s hottest June on record. Three heatwaves have already hit.
A fourth is expected soon. Demand has surged. Supplies are falling.
Reservoirs are drying. And for millions of households, the question now is: how bad will it get?
Severn Trent says it hasn’t imposed a hosepipe ban in over thirty years - but the pressure is mounting.
Their teams are fixing record numbers of leaks. The Environment Agency says companies must now follow their drought plans.
That means finding more leaks, adjusting operations, and helping customers use less water. In an effort to ensure water usage is controlled, water companies will be expected to follow stricter guidelines, and some residents may face restrictions soon if the dry spell continues.
We could be facing one of the most severe droughts in recent memory, with far-reaching effects for wildlife, agriculture, and people alike.