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16
Aug 2022
Last Updated: 16/08/2022
Harrogate district now officially in drought
The Environment Agency today declares Yorkshire's first drought status since 2018.
The Environment Agency declared drought status in Yorkshire today due to low water levels.
This year's prolonged spell of dry weather has led to exceptionally low river flows and reservoirs levels in the county.
Last week’s heatwave has added further pressure on the water network.
Moving to drought status means that the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water can implement stricter controls on water use.
Yorkshire Water has already announced a hosepipe ban that will come into effect from August 26.
The last drought in Yorkshire was declared in autumn 2018.
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The region joins large parts of England which moved to drought status on August 12.
Victoria Slingsby, environment planning and engagement manager for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire, said:
“The high temperatures we are experiencing have exacerbated pressures on wildlife and our water environment in Yorkshire. These extreme weather conditions become more likely with climate change.
“We are experiencing some much-needed rain this week, but it will not be enough to correct weeks of dry weather, and it will take more prolonged rainfall to wet up soils and replenish rivers, reservoirs and groundwater levels.
“It’s important for everyone to manage the amount of water they are using in this exceptionally dry period.”
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