Hosepipe ban fears as UK set for summer of water shortages - see areas at risk
There are already fears of hosepipe bans this summer as the UK is braced for water shortages.
National advisers have warned of an “acute risk of water shortages” if the ongoing dry weather persists well into May - which it is forecast to.
This comes as farmers warn that some crops like carrots and lettuces could run short too.
The group that advises the government on infrastructure issues told Sky News that a hosepipe ban was possible in some areas.
The south east and east of England are the areas most at risk and it would only take a few more months of less than expected rain.
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A number of factors are combining, exacerbated by climate change, to push the UK towards water shortages (stock image) (Getty Images)Sir John Armitt, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), said "If we continue over the next two or three months to have less rain than we might hope for, then there is a risk that in the summer we could see some [water] shortages,".
Alongside this, there is also the risk of some water companies imposing hosepipe bans, he added.
The NIC have warned that the UK is going to have to find an extra four billion litres of water a day by 2050 - meaning hundreds of millions pounds of more money from the government to prevent droughts.
Alongside that, because of climate change the UK is getting drier and drier, compounding the problem over time - despite overall wetter winters.
Hotter and drier summers are leaving the land and bodies of water less well equipped to retain water when it does fall.
Meanwhile, water officials have cautioned the country is just one hot and dry spell away from being catapulted back into another drought.
One part of the solution is plugging the extensive leaks in the UK’s water system, Thames Water leak 2.6 billion litres a day, but water companies have said they are investing in this.
This all has to be paid for somehow and experts warned it could fall on householders to pay through their bills.
Speaking to Sky News, Richard Millar, head of adaptation at the Climate Change Committee, said: "Following this dry winter, if this summer is again dry (which is expected more often due to climate change) then risks of water shortages could be even more acute,".
Brits may be misled due to recent snow and rain, but in fact the country is still recovering from last year’s record-breaking dry weather and droughts.
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It got so bad that two parts of England are still in “drought” status, East Anglia and Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, with most “recovering”.
Far from helping this winter, things have actually gotten worse with this February being the driest in 30 years in England.
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) told the broadcaster that if the next three months remain dry, then they might struggle to grow enough vegetables.
Brits could see smaller yields of vegetables like carrots, parsnips, lettuce and some cabbages.
Due to this, with some crops like carrots still recovering from last year, the UK will be forced to import more veg.
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