Households urged to use less water to avoid hosepipe ban after UK sees half of monthly rainfall in April
Crops are already suffering from a lack of moisture in the driest winter period since 1995-96
HOUSEHOLDS are being urged to use less water to avoid the threat of hosepipe bans this summer.
The UK had less than half the average rainfall for April, with the South the driest.
Crops are already suffering from a lack of moisture in the driest winter period since 1995-96.
And, despite a wetter patch towards the middle of this month, forecasters predict drier conditions for the end of May.
Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: “In the next few days it doesn’t look like there’s going to be anything particularly meaningful in terms of rainfall.”
The National Farmers’ Union has warned “rain-fed crops such as cereals are beginning to suffer from low soil moisture”.
Affinity Water, which supplies 900 million litres daily in parts of southern England, said: “We are encouraging customers to save water to help minimise the possibility of restrictions this summer.
“Since July 2016, our region has received just over half of the rainfall we would expect.
“Our groundwater sources have been affected by the low rainfall, which is where 60 per cent of the water we supply comes from.”
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Southern Water stopped short of issuing a warning but re-iterated water-saving tips including taking a shower not a bath and making sure the washing machine and dishwasher are full.
The supplier said: “Despite the dry winter, we don’t believe we’ll need to take measures.”
A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said there were no current water supply issues.
But she added: “We always advise that everyone should use water wisely — especially during a period of dry weather — and to follow the advice of their water company should water-saving measures be required.”