Drought Could Last Until At Least Christmas

Water shortages across England could last until beyond Christmas it has been warned, as a further 17 counties were declared official drought zones.

The Environment Agency said dry weather over the past few months has left some rivers in England exceptionally low and has now extended the country's "drought map" into the Midlands and the South West.

Officials stress that public water supplies are unlikely to be affected by the ongoing drought but are reiterating calls from consumers to combat the dry conditions by using scarce water wisely.

Drought Could Last Until At Least Christmas

Warning of the prospect of the current drought stretching into 2013, Trevor Bishop, head of water resources at the Environment Agency, said: "A longer-term drought, lasting until Christmas and perhaps beyond, now looks more likely."

The Agency, which is liaising with businesses, farmers and water companies to meet the challenges of a continued drought, had already declared drought zones in London, the South East, East Anglia and parts of Yorkshire.

The new official drought zones are Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, parts of Hampshire and most of Wiltshire.

Exceptionally dry conditions across the major part of England are the result of a lack of rainfall over the past two winters, which has left rivers and ground waters depleted.

While rain over the spring and summer will help to water crops and gardens, it is unlikely to improve the underlying drought situation, according to experts.

It was hoped that a prolonged period of rainfall between October and March - known as the winter recharge period - would prevent widespread drought.

But parts of England received less than 60% of the average winter rainfall, and water supplies have not been replenished.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said: "As more areas of the UK move into drought it is vital that we use less water to protect the public's water supply in the driest areas of the country."