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“The drought conditions will continue even if rainfall returns in the next two months, because the soils are so dry it will take longer to recover than usual.
Marsh explained: “The very moderate infiltration since the winter has left groundwater levels below, to well below, average across most major aquifers. Above-average summer rainfall would ameliorate the drought’s impact but with soils still exceptionally dry in much of southern Britain drought stress will continue with an expected substantial delay in seasonal recovery in runoff and recharge rates and, correspondingly, notably low autumn flows.”
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed on Friday that Anglia was suffering a severe drought, and is expected to confirm soon drought conditions in parts of the south-west of England, the Midlands and Wales.
Farmers have been worst hit, but other companies – such as food processors, energy companies and some manufacturers – that rely heavily on abstracting water from rivers or underground sources are expected to experience problems. The amount of water they are allowed to abstract is to be cut in the worst affected areas. The Environment Agency said it was difficult to predict accurately at this stage exactly which businesses would be hit.”
Read more: Guardian
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