Two regions in south-east England will be subject to a watering ban as water is scarce and the summer promises to be dry, a local water supplier said on Friday. In Kent and Sussex (south-east), customers of the South East Water distributor will no longer be able to water their garden from June 26, nor clean their car or even fill their swimming pool. Fines of up to 1,000 pounds are foreseen.
The heat is causing the demand for water to skyrocket
A year after a summer marked by unprecedented heat and a long drought in the United Kingdom, the demand for water has exploded due to the high temperatures of the last few days. Some localities have been deprived of water, forcing schools to close certain classes. “We have seen customer demand increase due to warmer temperatures, but this has impacted our ability to supply all customers,” said David Hinton, head of this local distributor in a communicated.
Therefore, “unfortunately we have no choice but to introduce this temporary ban”. “This situation has developed much faster than last year,” said David Hinton as similar restrictions could multiply across the country. Last summer, water restrictions were decreed across the country due to a long drought.
Over 32 degrees south of London
The United Kingdom has been experiencing severe heat for several days, with up to more than 32 degrees recorded last Saturday in south London, and precipitation has been rare for several weeks. In Scotland, the Environmental Protection Agency has warned that the British province could also face serious water shortages by the end of June, despite rainfall forecast in the coming days.
“Our rivers and lochs are under enormous pressure and it is clear that additional measures will be necessary to protect them,” warned an official from this agency, Nathan Critchlow-Watton.