Drought declared in Devon following UK's driest summer for 50 years
We are waiting to hear if South West Water will introduce restrictions
Following the UK's driest summer for 50 years, a drought has been declared in Devon and Cornwall.
The National Drought Group made the announcement after a meeting on Friday morning (12 August), following weeks of little to no rain.
Parts of southern and central England and the East of England have also moved into drought status.
The change could lead to more measures such as hosepipe bans, however, the Environment Agency (EA) has reassured the public that essential water supplies are safe.
South West Water is yet to confirm whether it will impose restrictions, but had said it would 'take the next step' towards that if the unprecedented dry spell and high demand continued.
Water Minister, and St Austell and Newquay MP, Steve Double said action was already being taken by the Government, the EA and others to manage the impacts.
He said: "All water companies have reassured us that essential supplies are still safe and we have made it clear it is their duty to maintain those supplies".
"We are better prepared than ever before"
Mr Double added: "We are better prepared than ever before for periods of dry weather, but we will continue to closely monitor the situation, including impacts on farmers and the environment, and take further action as needed".
The most recent EA data showed rainfall totals for August have ranged from 12% of the long-term average in North East England to 0% in South East and South West England.
Meantime river flow data revealed almost 90% of measuring sites were showing lower than normal readings, with 29% classed as "exceptionally low".
As of last Sunday (7 August), reservoir levels across the South West were an average of 49.4% full.
Steve Marks, the Environment Agency's drought lead for Devon and Cornwall said: "With continuing exceptionally dry and hot weather, river levels across Devon and Cornwall are exceptionally low - many showing the lowest flows on record - this places incredible strain on local wildlife and this is why Devon and Cornwall are moving to drought status. We are prioritising our local operations to minimise impacts on the environment".
Action being taken across the two counties includes monitoring the effects of the dry weather on rivers, ensuring people and companies who have water abstraction licences only operate within the terms of their licence and taking legal action against those who fail to comply or anyone who abstracts water without a licence, and responding to environmental emergencies, such as rescuing stranded fish.
Farmers describe dry spell as "hugely challenging"
The heat and dry conditions have also taken their toll on agriculture. According to the NFU, crops such as sugar beet and maize are showing signs of stress from a lack of rain, while crops relying on irrigation, such as field vegetables and potatoes, are also facing problems.
NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw said the situation was "hugely challenging" for farmers who were facing running out of irrigation water and having to use winter feed for animals because of a lack of grass.
The NFU also said "tinder dry" standing crops and parched grass posed a huge risk of fires spreading.
Mark Hardingham, chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, said: "While we are likely to see more wildfires due to the current conditions, it is impossible to say whether this will be more than when the country experienced 40-degree temperatures.
"The bigger risk at the moment is a combination of temperature and wind speed, which will contribute to fire spread and makes incidents harder to manage and extinguish".
However, he added brigades were "well prepared and have plans in place" to respond.
National Drought Group agrees to several measures
The National Drought Group (NDG) is made up of representatives from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), water companies, the Environment Agency (EA), the National Farmers' Union (NFU), Natural England, Consumer Council for Water, water services regulator Ofwat, Water UK and the Drinking Water Inspectorate, as well as the Angling Trust and the Rivers Trust.
On Friday it agreed to recognise the new risks and impacts associated with the current outlook, ensure water companies are following their Drought plans and to continue working collaboratively across sectors to manage current impacts - working together to balance water needs and conserve water.
Environment Agency Chief Executive, Sir James Bevan, will chair a further meeting with both the NDG and water company executives on Tuesday 23 August.