30/06/11
The Environment Secretary's second 'drought summit' this week heard that restrictions are still not expected this summer. The harmful effects of the dry weather on the environment, on wildlife and on agriculture were all discussed in the context of a longer-term approach to planning.
The rain in June was doubly beneficial for water resources – it reduced demand, because people didn't feel the need to water their gardens, and increased supplies. Overall the outlook is unchanged because most water companies had not expected to have to impose restrictions this summer.
Companies think beyond dry weeks or months, to dry seasons and dry consecutive seasons, and a dry autumn and winter this year would still have a significant effect on the resilience of resources in many areas.
Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman heard from conservation groups and Natural England of the damage already done to wildlife despite the rain. Young birds have found it difficult to feed through hard, dry soil, and this could lead to a significant decline in some species. Invertebrate spawning sites have dried up, and there have been wildfires, some on SSSI land. Water UK has offered to share intelligence and planning expertise at national level.
Some members of the farming community raised the issue of more water storage, mindful of climate change predictions of less frequent, more intense rainfall and that water users and providers will have to "grab it while they can".
The Secretary of State said that the planning system is being reformed, and that sustainable development will be at its heart. Among the central themes of the Water White Paper will be developing resilience to climate change.
Current situation
Defra update following summit
