Patches of heavy rain in parts of Yorkshire over the last seven days have helped to slow the fall of groundwater and reservoir stocks, but they still declined over the last week, as water demand remained over 1.2 billion litres per day.
Yorkshire’s reservoir levels now sit at 30.6%, dropping 2.01% from last week, well below the 71.7% average for this time of year. This follows the UK receiving just 44% of its expected annual rainfall so far this year, compared to a typical average of 67% by this stage in the year.
The county has also experienced the hottest summer on record, following a record-breaking spring. Both of which contributed to Yorkshire being declared in drought status.
Dave Kaye, Yorkshire Water’s director of water services, said:
“Our reservoirs are feeling the impact of drought in the region, following the driest spring and warmest summer on record. Whilst we've been starting to see a little more rain with the beginning of autumn, the majority has been taken up by the extremely dry ground, and plants and trees.
“The rain has helped river and groundwater levels in some areas, which will allow us to abstract from watercourses to take the strain off our reservoirs. This, combined with drought orders and permits that have been granted on the Ouse, Wharfe and 19 reservoirs in the south and north-west of the region, will help to reduce the burden on reservoirs and enable reservoirs to recover quicker in the autumn and winter.
“The weather is working more in our favour than it has previously, but we’re counting on a sustained period of wet weather coming. Whilst we're keeping a keen eye on these forecasts; we’re also focusing on bringing leaking down – fixing over 800 every week – and are incredibly grateful to customers who have helped domestic water usage to reduce by 10%.”
Storm Dave Set To Hit The Yorkshire Coast
Scarborough Celebrates 400th Anniversary Of Spring Water Discovery With Year-Long Exhibition
Scarborough Athletic's Captain Fantastic Heads Last Gasp Winner
Bridlington Woman Fined For Fly-Tipping
Whitby Town Beaten In First Half Of Easter Double
Filey Road Development Proposed For Scarborough
North Yorkshire Councillors' Concern Over Possible Freedom of Information Restriction
Scarborough School Wants To Build New 'Edwardian' Pavilion
Bridlington Town Manager Scott Kerr Calls For Fan Support Ahead Of Blyth Town Clash
Whitby Rugby Go To Seaham
Holiday Park Near Filey Requests Alcohol Licence
Pickering Town End Season With Trip to Champions Elect
Comments
Add a comment