The environment Agency has today warned the drought that has affected parts of England since the spring will last into next summer unless sufficient rain falls this winter. Groundwater levels are still falling in many areas following the driest 12 month period on record.

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According to the Environment Agency’s report, even if there is average rainfall over winter and spring, affected areas in Central, Eastern and Southern parts of England are unlikely to see a full recovery from drought conditions in 2012.

Following the release of the Envionment Agency’s assessment, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman warned that the food and farming industries must plan for a summer drought. Earlier today Ms Spelman said, "This is a signal for everyone to get prepared, that if we don't get good rainfall this winter it will be a challenge next spring and summer."

Spelman said Defra is currently working to help the food and farming sectors adapt to climate change; she said improvements to irrigation technology and the development of more water efficient crops would play a big role in preparedness for drought in the future, which would become all the more likely as climate change continue to be felt.

Ms Spelman elaborated, "Droughts are not new, but we may face a future with less rainfall and less certainty about when that rain will fall. That is why we will shortly be setting out our plans to ensure we have a safe and secure water supply in the future."

Water permits issued unusually early

Defra has begun granting drought permits to water companies, including Anglian Water, which has been given permission to pump water from the river Nene into one of its reservoirs. The department has urged farmers and food businesses to improve water efficiency efforts over the coming months.

Today’s Environment Agency report also offers recommendations for farmers and other water users on measures they can take to minimise the impacts of a longer term drought. These include stepping up leak detection to make sure leakage is keep under control, planning ahead for irrigation needs, filling winter storage reservoirsand working with others through local water abstractor groups to share water resources, and, for livestock farmers, planning ahead for fodder and bedding supplies in light of prolonged dry conditions.

Environment Agency chairman Lord Chris Smith commented, "Today’s Environment Agency report urges all water users – especially farmers, businesses and water companies – to plan carefully how they store, use and share water."

Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and west Norfolk are particularly at risk of prolonged drought, having suffered the lowest yearly rainfall levels since 1921. Parts of the rivers Colne, Nene, Trent and Kennet are also approaching the lowest levels ever recorded for November.

Areas including large swathes of central and southern England and a band stretching from Shropshire and Cheshire in the West and Lincolnshire in the East are all at "high risk" according to EA data. The Environment Agency will continue to assess the likelihood of a prolonged drought and issue another report in early 2012.

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