Experts believe East Anglia could be facing the worst drought in living memory. Photo: Angela Sharpe

Anglian Water says region could suffer ‘worst drought since 1921’

By CHRIS HILL, Rural affairs correspondent Monday, January 30, 2012
8:41 AM

East Anglia is bracing itself for the worst drought in living memory as the continued lack of rainfall threatens to dry up precious supplies of domestic and agricultural water.

Anglian Water has warned that if current weather trends continue, the region could be heading for its most severe shortages since 1921, raising the prospect of its first hose pipe ban for 20 years.

The prolonged period of below-average rainfall now stretches back almost 18 months, with eight out of the last 12 months seeing significantly less precipitation than the previous year.

In the west of the region it has drained rivers and reservoirs to well below capacity, while in the east the extended drought is even threatening groundwater boreholes which are usually more resilient to seasonal changes.

And while farmers are already working on ways to preserve dwindling supplies vital for irrigation, householders have been told they must take urgent action now to save water for the peak demands of the spring and summer.

Anglian Water (AW) spokesman Ciaran Nelson said: “The rainfall figures show that the only year in the last 100 when it was lower than this was in 1921. So we are looking at something which could potentially be the worst in living memory.

“We cannot predict the weather, but we can plan for its worst impacts. We are already thinking about what we might have to do in the summer. It has been 20 years since we last issued a hose pipe ban in the AW region. We would love for it not to happen, but we are planning for a worst-case scenario just in case.

“What I would say is that we have already managed to get through one dry year without having to do it. That is the kind of resilience we have had to build into the network for long periods of dry weather.

“This is not about scare-mongering, it is about letting people know that the things they do now can genuinely make a difference on what the summer looks like.

“The catch-all phrase is: ‘Get saving now for summer’. People must realise that the effort invested now will keep the water in the aquifers, boreholes and reservoirs for longer so it is there when we need it. It is simple things like turning the taps off when you brush your teeth, and installing a water butt now if you plan on planting your garden.”

Jim Bacon, a forecaster with Norwich-based Weatherquest, said the groundwater shortages stemmed from a period of exceptionally dry weather in the critical period leading up to the winter.

“Looking at 2011 overall, then the rainfall in East Anglia and Norfolk in general is running at 65-75pc of the long-term average,” he said. “You would normally expect the autumn and winter months to contribute, but for the autumn we were running at a staggering 30-50pc of average. That is the crucial part of the year when the water soaks into the aquifer and evaporation rates are at their lowest. We have already lost half a winter’s worth of rain, and instead of making up the losses we’ve actually added to the deficit.

“It would have to be a hugely wet spring to bring things back to average and for it to be anything other than a concern, certainly for farmers and growers. It is a continuing problem and the answers are more to do with managing limited resources than worrying about how much rain we are going to get.”

The Environment Agency sets limits on abstraction licences in order to preserve the ecological health of rivers. But in November, the EA granted Anglian Water a temporary drought permit to refill its reservoirs by extracting extra water from the Nene in Northamptonshire, even though the river’s threshold had been reached. Any environmental impact will be closely monitored.

Most of Norfolk and Suffolk’s water comes from groundwater abstraction, while the western counties are more dependent on rivers flowing into reservoirs, which are most vulnerable to drops in rainfall.

Mr Nelson said reservoir levels on average are about 74pc full, but there can be large variations across neighbouring catchments.

“It is fair to say that our concerns are slightly worse in the west of the region, but that is not to exclude areas like Norfolk and Suffolk from being in the danger zone,” he said.

“The boreholes are more resistant to seasonal changes. If we had seen things return to average towards the end of last year we wouldn’t be so concerned. But the winter recharge period has started later and is taking longer than usual which means we cannot be confident that borehole sources will be at the levels where we need them to be in the spring, when we need to call on those resources.”

Meanwhile, a Norfolk MP has vowed to take a delegation of farmers from her constituency to meet DEFRA minister Richard Benyon to stress the challenges they currently face.

Farmers in West Norfolk and the Fens have told South West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss of their concerns at the ongoing drought in the region.

The Conservative MP was also urged to champion their cause at Parliament during a farming forum she hosted at Shouldham Thorpe, near Downham Market, which was attended by 19 farmers.

Ms Truss said: “The farmers raised a number of extremely important issues especially the water situation.

“The irrigation of crops, in particular the intensive ones like salads which are a particular feature of the region and need reliable water sources was also raised.

“The ongoing management of these needs to addressed extremely quickly not only for the short term but for many years to come. I will be raising this with DEFRA and the Environment Agency as a matter of priority.”

She added: “I plan to take a delegation of farmers from South West Norfolk to meet with DEFRA Minister Richard Benyon so that he can fully understand the challenges currently faced by farmers.”

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45 comments

funny how this evidence always comes about whe there is a price hike! even funnier that we live in one of the wetter countries and yet are always at risk of a drought (but never scotland or wales...) if you want to raise bill costs do so, but don't feed the public a lot of C**P.

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mitchy1985

Thursday, February 2, 2012
If you think this is scaremongering you definitely need to get out more. It's serious all right, believe me.

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John L Norton

Thursday, February 2, 2012
I feel an increase in charges in the air This is pure scaremongering to make way for higher bills

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Claire Voyant

Thursday, February 2, 2012
I feel an increase in charges in the air This is pure scaremongering to make way for higher bills

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Claire Voyant

Thursday, February 2, 2012
I feel an increase in charges in the air This is pure scaremongering to make way for higher bills

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Claire Voyant

Thursday, February 2, 2012
I feel an increase in charges in the air This is pure scaremongering to make way for higher bills

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Claire Voyant

Thursday, February 2, 2012
anyone who saw the recent countryside programme on BBC will know that the shortage of water is down to population increase, there has been a massive influx of people into this country in the past few years and this is set to speed up , all these people need housing and therefore more water, as an example, Wisbech has a third of it's population as East European as reported on BBC look east, we need to act fast build many new homes on green field sites and with water supplies connected

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blister

Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Does anyone stop to think about all the extra houses that are being built all the time thus putting a demand on our water, and its not just housing, its cafes opening, hairdressers and such like that all need water for one reason or another. Maybe its to easy for the reservoirs to be expanded, but surely this is one option that has got to be thought about and done ASAP.

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susiewong

Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Does anyone stop to think about all the extra houses that are being built all the time thus putting a demand on our water, and its not just housing, its cafes opening, hairdressers and such like that all need water for one reason or another. Maybe its to easy for the reservoirs to be expanded, but surely this is one option that has got to be thought about and done ASAP.

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susiewong

Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Farquarson-Smythe the current price increase and our water levels are totally unrelated, do you think the charges wouldn't have been added on the same if we were experiencing flooding. Yes to date we still have water, but I suggest you go on the EA site and check current river levels, some are running on empty. Believe me it is very alarming and really not something to treat with disdain.

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John L Norton

Wednesday, February 1, 2012
John and Farquarson. Lets not forget that these companies are all foreign owned, so any profits do not even stay in this country.

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"V"

Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Anglia Water have put up prices 5% (check national news Norton)- I have been hearing these drought stories since the 70's as far back as an old git like me can remember. To date we still have water? and to date we are still paying through the nose for it to a private profit making company

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Farquarson-Smythe

Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Farquarson-Smythe have the Environment Agency just put their prices up? I suggest you take this message very seriously and check our upper river levels on their site. We are in trouble make no mistake.

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John L Norton

Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Pre-Story released just before the Price Increases to take your mind off of the Greed of the Private Water Companies

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Farquarson-Smythe

Tuesday, January 31, 2012
It's serious all right take a look at current river levels. http:www.environment-agency.gov.ukhomeandleisurefloodsriverlevels120738.aspx

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John L Norton

Tuesday, January 31, 2012
I have just taken this from the EA site 'New analysis suggests that with climate change and population growth many rivers could be up to 80 per cent lower during the summer in the next 40 years' If that is true many of our rivers and much of our wildlife will be totally decimated.

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John L Norton

Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Exactly Daisy roots, so many old tips on water saving have been long forgotten and in those days water abstraction for agricultural use was in its infancy, the impact far less. There were not that many retiree's coming to live in Norfolk, its population much smaller. Our french water company is not responsible to us, but to their shareholders and todays news of rising water prices is connected to yesterdays 'drought headline'. How can one justify an even bigger take for shareholders if there is no shortage, how transparent and calculating. Nationalise them and when they are back in public hands, then I'm willing to pay for more investment, if it is needed that is.

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ingo wagenknecht

Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The EA figures on water consumption in the Eastern Region ( and the value of food production and processing to the area) are interesting for those who care-power generation is the highest consumer of extracted water. Glass house collection schemes are used-the amount of water off barns is piddling in comparision with requirements -how about compulsory rain water collection systems for domestic dwellings? When I was a kid we had a soft water cistern underground collecting water from the roof as did many dairy farms.Probably more sensible than solar panels. Of course for many of us our imminent worry is how much our house insurance is going to go up this year because of completely over the top flood risk maps. i am surprised the EDP has not picked up on this.

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Daisy Roots

Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Some of us are old enough to recall or to have parents who recall Norfolk drinking water wells drying up-Docking had an especial problem with water supply.And becks and streams in higher Norfolk drying up naturally So before we all fly in to a flurry of recrimination and panic we should remember ours is a dry region.How much the councils and Anglian Water are remiss for not doing more to compensate for this by limiting development and improving storage is debatable- how much do we want to pay on our bills for reservoirs that might be needed once every thirty years? The farmer bashers should note that many build their own reservoirs, pay to extract water and usually fill them in winter at times of higher water tables. Water levels have fallen throughout 2011 and not been replenished this winter. The EA, I understand, has requested that some drainage boards do not pump their drainage channels to normal winter levels, but retain water to keep the water table up in lower lying areas to help wildlife and farmers. Every day tonnes of water flow out to sea at GY, Lynn, Boston etc.Water that could probably be extracted upstream of the point of brackishness and stored without too much harm to the environment. But who can afford to build the reservoirs on low lying land- not as if we have a handy valley to flood. Is a Wash Barrage the solution I wonder, or would it take years for the salinity to be removed and would we still have to employ Ingos expensive desalination? I can guarantee though that Anglian Water will put its prices up, do nothing more to store water and that it will rain the minute a Minister for Drought is appointed. ( Save Water Bath with a Friend-remember that?)

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Daisy Roots

Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Dear Skoalbandit, Your stout defence of AW does suggest that you have some interest in said company. Shares possibly ? AW are out and about fixing leaks because as IngoWK says it is poor maintenance by AW that has allowed such a situation to arise. And lest not forget prior to privatisation, or giving it away to the wealthy, I owned and paid for, via my taxes, AW and all the other utility companies. Privatisation is just another word for profiteering. AW are guilty of this and will do just enough to but proifits always will come first. . Their least concern is the customer.

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norman hall

Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Dear Norman. Who said I work for AW?, as one of the regions largest employers it wouldnt take long asking people until you found someone who knew an employee. ingo wagenknecht. lackadaisical effort? I suggest you take a look out for leakage network technicians who are out 365 days of the year keeping your tap ready for when you want it. I personally think desalination plants are a very good idea. for those that moan about the water board Im sure AW would rather pump the briney sea to your house and let you deal with making it drinkable.

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Skoalbandit

Monday, January 30, 2012
Forgive, skolbandit, are you suggesting we don't know about this leaky network of pipes you are talking about, or the lacadaisical effort to reducing leakage? Anglain water is a disgrace, it pollutes many with the stench of their new development, they are importing much of their processed waste from other counties on our small local roads, they failed to get their own dedicated access on to the A 47 and now they are balming consumers for not shelling out enough for their luxuaries pay, your having a laugh.

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ingo wagenknecht

Monday, January 30, 2012
Be interested to know what Liz Truss is getting at when she says "the ongoing management of these (farmers' irrigation) needs must be addressed extremely quickly" I hope she's not suggesting that if it comes to a straight choice between wildlife and irrigation, Norfolk's rivers and wetlands should must take second place. Most are already abstracted to within an inch of tolerable limits just to meet current demand, never mind planned future growth. The Environment Agency has to balance these competing 'needs' very carefully . It's easy for Liz to to say the situation needs managing, but if it doesn't rain then eventually, no amount of careful management will address the fact there's no water, especially as we continue to assume we can take more and more of it in such an presumptuous and unsustainable way.

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beeston bump

Monday, January 30, 2012
and what is it ,a target of thirty thousand new houses !! at least if thet build on Flood Plains there will be more water outside

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Albert Cooper

Monday, January 30, 2012
Water shortage? What water shortage, there is exactly the same amount of water on the earth as there ever was, it doesn't change. Simply because a water company has failed to invest in the future and create storage and a better network, but have creamed off the profits for the shareholders and overpaid high ranking staff doesn’t mean that we are heading for a drought, perhaps a very dry spell turned into a drought by their greed and inadequacies.

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chucky noris

Monday, January 30, 2012
Save water says Anglian Water who was investigated last year by Ofwat for failing to meet leakage targets and was told the failures sent a "poor signal" about how the company values water?

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John L Norton

Monday, January 30, 2012
Dear Skoalbandit ,What position do you hold within the Anglian Water Company ???

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norman hall

Monday, January 30, 2012
oldowl. Next time you turn on the tap and have a drink, think of people in other countries who dont have the luxury of drinking water 'on tap'. Does this 'tarted' up water bill include you waste water too? Water is cheap per 1000 litres or cube, I suggest you get yourself on a meter and cut down your useage to save money. The tap in your house connects to a complicated and expensive to run network supplying tarted up water at your whim!.

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Skoalbandit

Monday, January 30, 2012
Great news for the share holders of this private company. For some strange reason, as with oil companies, whenever there is a shortage prices leap. And in the glut years. Yes, prices leap. And as all the other people commented , why not throw a hose pipe into the sea and desalinate. British companies are well experienced at building these palnts for the Arab countries and every offshore platform has a desalination unit. But why should Anglian Water want a regular cheap supply of water. Far better the boom and bust profiteering way.

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norman hall

Monday, January 30, 2012
Here, here John L. but they could have built desalination plants instead. I totally agree with you regarding extra houses, but they will make more money to waste if they are built and their bosses will make more money. Anglian Water could be renamed Anglian Wasters.

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Sid

Monday, January 30, 2012
Well, well, so Anglian Water is once again warning of drought. I think it's about time that, as an island surrounded by water, they get their act together and build some, or at least one, desalination plant. That would solve the problem once and for all, but I guess they just don't want to spend OUR money in any way that would benefit us all! They are content to just sit on their backsides, keep us all from using our hosepipes and putting up prices so their fat cat bosses can earn undeserved fortunes.

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Sid

Monday, January 30, 2012
I suppose this will be another excuse to put up petrol prices ?

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Farquarson-Smythe

Monday, January 30, 2012
Far from it Andy. Those large multinational operators and national farmers coops can easily pay for their desalination plants, or use grey water for irrigation, there is no need to use pristine potential drinking water to irrigate or flush toilets for that matter. There are methods of mulching which would benefit crops in long periods of drought and there are many farmers who do not save the water from the roofs of their large agricultural buildings, barns and sheds. Lets see some initiative to save and conserve water. Water is a utility that should have never been privatised.

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ingo wagenknecht

Monday, January 30, 2012
Far from it Andy. Those large multinational operators and national farmers coops can easily pay for their desalination plants, or use grey water for irrigation, there is no need to use pristine potential drinking water to irrigate or flush toilets for that matter. There are methods of mulching which would benefit crops in long periods of drought and there are many farmers who do not save the water from the roofs of their large agricultural buildings, barns and sheds. Lets see some initiative to save and conserve water. Water is a utility that should have never been privatised.

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ingo wagenknecht

Monday, January 30, 2012
I was amazed last spring at the number of farmers irrigating during the day when a large proportion of the water they were spraying on their crops would have evaporated very quickly. Irrigating at night is a much more sensible use of water although admittedly it must be a bit of pain getting up in the middle of the night to fix a bust irrigator!

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xxxx

Monday, January 30, 2012
Doesn't this just prove how vulnerable we are? This should put serious doubt on the building of any more housing in Norfolk. One thinks the time has come now the relevant authorities got together with the GDNP and told them their madcap plans for mass housing in Norfolk is simply just not sustainable.

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chucky noris

Monday, January 30, 2012
Ingo, I think you are effectively advocating that we have a food shortage to go with the predicted water shortage. Agricultural mass production needs water, especially in areas such as the Brecks, if we are to meet the needs of the ever increasing population. We must stop the mass housing projects which are clearly unsustainable and anyway only cover the next 15 years!

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andy

Monday, January 30, 2012
What is the point in arguing about it? This matter is in crisis state. I agree with the call for a moritorium on new development. There is pressure on developers to advance methods of Sustainable Urban Drainage yet the recession is being proffered as a reason to dodge that requirement along with many other sensible policies designed to legislate against irresponsibility. I believe that there are viable ways of aquiring homes for the needs of the communities they will serve and these should be permitted. How many of us are taking Old Owl's advice and cutting our potable water use to cripple the water companies profits? IF we managed to do this OFWAT would compensate them for any genuine hardship. Agriculture and Industry can do plenty to improve it's record but nothing beats being given the resource to manage so they need to grasp the nettle NOW. Is there anyone else I can take a pop at?

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George Ezekial

Monday, January 30, 2012
Failed to built reservoirs and a national water grid yonks ago. Code for sustainable housing is not enforced enough and houses that have waterless waste systems are shunned. Agricultural abstraction has to be altered if not stopped alltogether and new housing project have to take account of these developments, but it looks like those who pay most for their water will be pushed aside by demands from agriculture. Better mulching practises and more help with waterconservation on farms, as well as rainwater recovery and storage have to be made mandatory.

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ingo wagenknecht

Monday, January 30, 2012
These people cannot be serious. Their resource comes free from the sky! They charge £50 month for something they get free and tart up a bit and send through crumbling Victorian infrastructure. Anyway if most of our water comes from groundwater extraction...that would have taken years to percolate down and a drought this year will not effect us for several years to come? What about cutting down on their profits rather than our consumption? I need a drink...

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oldowl

Monday, January 30, 2012
Definitely time to reconsider building yet more houses in a very dry region of Britain.

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DrJB

Monday, January 30, 2012
A national water grid, long talked about and always derided on costs, should have been a long term contractual obligation to a privatised water industry. Our farmers know, they fear for their supplies, housebuilders, although equipped with means to make houses more efficient and self sustainable, are still churning out housing below par, water is not something that can be adjust6ed to the laws of supply and demand, higher prices or smaller niozzles on sprinklers will not make for more water, so we have to cut down agricultural abstraction, as well as have a hosepipe ban. farmers should get help to dig reservoirs, save the water from their large barn roofs, we must build houses that store rainwater and use little of it. There are waste systems that do not need water to flush, using rainwater for washing is not rocket science. Mandatory enforcement of greener standards, methods of top muching, keeping more moisture for longer in our soils, all these measures could have been advanced yonks ago, now were struggling to cope.

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ingo wagenknecht

Monday, January 30, 2012
Time for desalination plants to be built.

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"V"

Monday, January 30, 2012
WELL SAID.some people belittle the water issue but every day proposals for new housing estates are made. The water issue should come first before any builders start.

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bookworm

Monday, January 30, 2012
The consequences of this potential drought are of their (Anglian Water) own doing in that they should have invested in some serious storage Reservoirs some twenty years or so ago. I have stated this many times before but a crisis looms and furthermore where do they propose to get the water for the 30,000 plus houses that are planned for this area?

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John L Norton

Monday, January 30, 2012