Dry spell sparks water worries (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

Dry spell sparks water worries

5:31pm Wednesday 8th July 2009

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Water chiefs have warned of “worrying implications” after months of below average rainfall in East Surrey.

June brought the fourth consecutive month of below average rainfall in the area this summer, according to Sutton and East Surrey Water.

A spokesman said the drier than normal trend would have “worrying implications should it continue.”

Rainfall last month was 28% below the long-term average.

Mike Hegarty, Sutton and East Surrey Water operations director, said: “Since March we have encountered a series of drier months and while our underground water resources are currently slightly below average, they remain at an adequate level to meet supply requirements, if customer demand mirrors its normal patterns.”

But he said; “However, continuing lack of rainfall can only result in a steady depletion in our over-all resources.

“Obviously we would welcome an end to this dry trend and some additional rainfall.”

Traditionally, summer months show an increased demand as people water their gardens, fill pools and try to stay cool.

Last month, temperatures in the South East hit heatwave status.

Mr Hegarty said: “Ironically, June last year also provided much less rainfall than expected – around one third less – but that dry month followed three months of above average rainfall.

“Our low rainfall this June has followed three months of below average rainfall.”

He said: “For those of us who watch the weather, it was noticeable last month how dry London and the South East remained compared to the rest of the country, which had significant thunderstorms.

“The hot and sunny conditions for the Wimbledon championships, for example, only confirmed the status of the South East as one of the driest regions in Great Britain, and emphasised the need for us all living here to be careful with the use of water.”

He urged gardeners in particular to use rainfall water conserved in water butts and to keep efficient use of water uppermost in their minds.

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