Significant rainfall restores most water supplies

Earlier this month the Association attended a National Drought Group meeting to receive an update on the current state of water reserves and likely scenario this summer.  

Reinforcing the unpredictable nature of weather in the UK, February and March represented two extremes.  

February 2023 represented the driest on record for 29 catchments (out of 100 catchments) in the UK since 1959, and the driest 12 months across 32 catchments since 2011/12.  This lack of rain led to the drought group warning of Temporary Use (Hosepipe) Bans during the summer of 2023.

However, March 2023 represented the wettest month since 1947 in 30 catchments, and the amount of rain received ensured rivers and groundwater levels in most catchments recovered from the long period of dry weather last summer, as well as the relatively dry winter and early spring. Drought is now unlikely in most catchments.

Despite the rain, the status of reservoirs in the South-East remains below normal, which means South West Water advertised an extension to its Temporary Use Ban which will came into effect from 25th April 2023. Temporary Use Bans for Cornwall and parts of North Devon have remained since August 2022. 

Further reading
South West Water Temporary Use Ban