Water companies operating in the South East of England need above average levels of rainwater this winter to top up depleted sources.
The Environment Agency has raised concerns about a potential drought this summer in some areas of the region after a period of “prolonged dry weather” and despite the recent heavy rainfall.
Today (5 January) it received a drought permit application from Southern Water to pump water into the Bewl Water reservoir, which it will decide on later this month.
SES Water has also said the recent heavy rainfall is so far not enough to “top up depleted water sources”.
In a statement, the company said: “Following a dry winter last year and the start of this winter seeing little rainfall, we are hoping for more of the recent wet weather to refill groundwater sources that have remained well below average all year.
“The wet end to the summer was welcomed but underground aquifers – rocks which act like a giant sponge – only usually fill up from rainfall during autumn and winter when there is less plant growth and evaporation. October to March is the critical ‘recharge period’ and autumn rainfall was very low – October was dry with only 35 per cent of long term average rainfall during the month, followed by only half of the expected rain in November. December was a lot wetter, but above average rainfall will still be needed from now through to March to minimise the likelihood of water restrictions in the spring.”
Last winter (2016-17) the company saw only two thirds of average rainfall across its supply area.
It said “groundwater sources were a lot lower than normal going into this recharge period and now is the time they should start being replenished. This is important as 85 per cent of the water we supply to our customers comes from underground.”
SES Water explained it is “working hard” to manage the water it does have, from installing new pipelines to move water around its network to “finding and fixing leaks” as quickly as possible.
“However, the weather is the one thing nobody can control which is why our water efficiency activities and messages are relevant all year round to remind people that water is a precious resource – whatever the weather,” the company said. “We are asking customers to use water wisely.”
Stuart Sampson, Environment Agency water manager, said: “Despite the recent wet weather at the end of December, we had a dry end to the autumn with rainfall much lower than average in the south east of England. Last winter saw low rainfall in the south east which means that groundwater and some reservoirs are below normal levels.
“Above-average rainfall is now needed in parts of this region over the winter months to replenish groundwater supplies for 2018.”
He added: “The Environment Agency is actively working with water companies, businesses and farmers to balance the needs of water users and our teams are ready to respond to potential impacts of dry weather on people, the environment and wildlife. Water companies will be advising their customers to use water wisely and considering action to preserve and enhance water supplies.”
Southern Water has applied for a “precautionary” drought permit to top up the Bewl Water reservoir – the largest stretch of open water in the South East of England.
It said Bewl currently holds less than 43 per cent of its maximum 31,000 million litres capacity.
A spokesperson from the Environment Agency, said: “We have received an application for a winter drought permit, which is a request from the water company asking to change the amount of water that can be abstracted from the river Medway to refill Bewl reservoir.