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HIGH AND DRY

UK weather could result in a DROUGHT and hosepipe ban if rain holds off after the driest winter in more than 20 years

The chances of heavy rain in spring are slim, while the surge of growth in fields and gardens is taking up any that does fall

WATER bosses have admitted we could be heading for a drought in parts of the UK is the good weather continues after the driest winter in more than 20 years.

Lack of rain over the autumn, winter and early spring has left some rivers and reservoirs running low – particularly in the south and west.

 Spring lambs pose in the warm sun on a cold day with temperatures around 10C in Old Warden, Bedfordshire
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Spring lambs pose in the warm sun on a cold day with temperatures around 10C in Old Warden, BedfordshireCredit: Alamy
 Holidaymakers enjoy the blue skies and warm sunshine next to the harbour in the seaside resort of Weymouth in Dorset
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Holidaymakers enjoy the blue skies and warm sunshine next to the harbour in the seaside resort of Weymouth in DorsetCredit: Alamy
 Tourists take photographs and enjoy the sunshine in front of Tower Bridge in London
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Tourists take photographs and enjoy the sunshine in front of Tower Bridge in LondonCredit: Alamy

With weather experts warning there's little sign of rain to come, many farmers and gardeners are growing worried.

The chances of heavy rain in spring are slim, while the surge of growth in fields and gardens is taking up any drops that do fall.

Until now water companies have played down talk of hosepipe bans with South East Water dismissing the prospect as late as last week.

But now the public has been warned that restrictions could be on the way in some areas unless reservoir levels are replenished by prolonged rainfall.

Environment Agency officials have admitted that the dry weather could lead to 'drought management measures' for some regions.

They say they are working with water companies, businesses and farmers to minimise the impact of the continuing dry weather.

At the weekend it was reported that several areas of Britain including the South-east, the Midlands and parts of Yorkshire experienced no rainfall at all for 15 days.

It follows 'parched' weather in the six-month period between October and March – the driest since 1995 and 1996, according to the Met Office.

 Blossoms in the sunshine at Greys Court, Oxfordshire, yesterday, amid fears sunny weather could cause a drought
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Blossoms in the sunshine at Greys Court, Oxfordshire, yesterday, amid fears sunny weather could cause a droughtCredit: Rex Features
 People enjoy a sunny afternoon in the grounds of Greys Court in Oxfordshire
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People enjoy a sunny afternoon in the grounds of Greys Court in OxfordshireCredit: Rex Features
 The sun shines on a bright but cold afternoon at Bingley five locks on the Leeds Liverpool Canal in Bingley, West Yorks
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The sun shines on a bright but cold afternoon at Bingley five locks on the Leeds Liverpool Canal in Bingley, West YorksCredit: Rex Features
 The five locks at on the Leeds Liverpool Canal in Bingley, West Yorks
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The five locks at on the Leeds Liverpool Canal in Bingley, West YorksCredit: Rex Features
 Bluebells in the sunshine in The Spinney Woodlands in Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire
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Bluebells in the sunshine in The Spinney Woodlands in Rotherfield Greys, OxfordshireCredit: Rex Features

According to long-term forecasts, the next three months will also be dry, making water restrictions likely.

Water supplier Affinity, which covers large areas of the South-east of England, says it is “monitoring the situation closely with clear plans in place”.

The company said: "January to March saw rainfall 50 to 70 per cent below average in our region.

"We have not seen the rise in groundwater levels we expected, and some rivers have seen flows decrease."

 A woman admires the view as she stands next to a giant wooden Easter cross at Otley Chevin Country park in Otley, West Yorks
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A woman admires the view as she stands next to a giant wooden Easter cross at Otley Chevin Country park in Otley, West YorksCredit: Rex Features
 The Rochdale canal in the Pennine mill town of Hebden Bridge caught in the early morning sunshine yesterday
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The Rochdale canal in the Pennine mill town of Hebden Bridge caught in the early morning sunshine yesterdayCredit: Alamy
 People make the most of the spring sunshine and take their dogs onto Ainsdale beach in Merseyside
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People make the most of the spring sunshine and take their dogs onto Ainsdale beach in MerseysideCredit: Alamy
 People walking and cycling, enjoying the warm spring sunshine on a bright sunny morning in Plascrug Park, Aberystwyth, Wales
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People walking and cycling, enjoying the warm spring sunshine on a bright sunny morning in Plascrug Park, Aberystwyth, WalesCredit: Alamy
 People enjoy the early morning sunshine by strolling down a country lane in Clayfield Copse in Berkshire
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People enjoy the early morning sunshine by strolling down a country lane in Clayfield Copse in BerkshireCredit: Rex Features

But South East Water's head of water resources Lee Dance is trying to stay upbeat, claiming although it's been a drier than normal winter, the company does not envisage water shortages this summer.

He said: "Our aquifers are in a good position and our reservoir at Ardingly in West Sussex is full – but whatever the weather, we do ask our customers to use water wisely.

"Water is a precious resource and cutting down on daily water use doesn't mean you have to make big changes.

"Just simple things like taking a shower rather than a bath, turning off the tap while brushing teeth and fixing leaking taps can have a huge impact on the amount of water that households use."

 A woman walks along a path lined with cherry blossoms in the sun in Harrogate, Yorks
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A woman walks along a path lined with cherry blossoms in the sun in Harrogate, YorksCredit: PA:Press Association
 Spring lambs escape from the fields into a lane on a sunny day in Old Warden, Bedfordshire
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Spring lambs escape from the fields into a lane on a sunny day in Old Warden, BedfordshireCredit: Alamy
 The harbour under blue skies and warm sunshine at the seaside resort of Weymouth in Dorset
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The harbour under blue skies and warm sunshine at the seaside resort of Weymouth in DorsetCredit: Alamy
 People take photos of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster on a sunny day in London yesterday
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People take photos of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster on a sunny day in London yesterdayCredit: Alamy

Bob Ward, of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, said: "It's not yet a crisis, but we're beginning what may become a period of drought.

"A continued lack of rainfall could lead to water restrictions."

Kent and Sussex are almost entirely dependent on groundwater from rain and a spokesman for Southern Water said: "The winter of 2016-2017 was drier than average, particularly in the months leading up to Christmas.

"This means there are lower water levels across our regional water sources."


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