Drought confirmed for Shropshire after higher than average temperatures
It's official, a drought has been declared across the West Midlands - including Shropshire - but gardeners are not yet facing a hosepipe ban
The drought status comes from the Environment Agency (EA) and follows other areas of the country, after some of the most extreme hot weather in living memory.
The situation has been seen most obviously in reservoirs like Lake Vyrnwy, which has dipped so low that the remnants of the community flooded to create the lake have once again become visible.
Parched crops and grassland has also led to a host of call-outs for the fire services – particularly a succession of fires in combine harvesters.
The EA says that it has spent 11 weeks "actively managing" the flow of the River Severn – which supplies water for more than six million people across the region.
The organisation has been letting water into the river from reservoirs in Mid Wales, to try to maintain supply and protect wildlife.
Cath Eales from the EA in the West Midlands said that much more rain would be needed to replenish the stocks in reservoirs, such as Clywedog on Llanidloes.
She said: “We had some much-needed rain recently, but it cannot make up for many months of below average rainfall. It will take more prolonged rainfall to wet up soils and replenish rivers and reservoirs.
“It’s important for everyone to use water as efficiently as possible in this particularly dry period.”
Despite the move Severn Trent has insisted is not changing its mind to bring in a hosepipe ban – with the last one some 27 years ago.
A spokesman for the firm said: “The implementation of a drought in the West Midlands does not change our position in relation to a hosepipe ban and we’re continuing to manage our drought action plan.
“As a result of preparation work throughout the year to remain resilient and protect water supplies, the Severn Trent network is in a good position. With no significant rain in the forecast, the driest conditions in a century, the ongoing weather conditions could continue to increase demand.
“We are continuing to ask people to be mindful of their water use, as small behavioural changes can add up to a big difference and would like to thank all our customers for their continued support as the warm and dry weather continues into the summer.”
The Environment Agency has now confirmed drought status in 10 of its 14 areas.
