DROUGHT?

26 comments

Did any one see the article in the paper this Thursday about the fears of a drought next summer?
I quote from the newspaper:
“Water use must be rationed because of a high risk of drought next year, the Government has warned. Arid conditions have hit central and eastern England since June, following the lowest rainfall since records began 100 years ago. It follows a year of topsy-turvy weather, with one of the earliest and driest springs ever and an unusually blamy autumn with less than half the average rainfall in some areas. Anglian water has already been granted a drought permit to drain more water than usual from the River Nene over the winter to stock up its resevoirs for next summer, and SE water is set to get a permit next week.
Suppliers have urged millions in the E & SE to use water wisely by having shorter showers and switching off the tap whilst brushing their teeth! The environment agency has also asked water firms to act more quickly to detect and fix leaks (ha ha) The environmental secretary Caroline Spelman says it may suprise people that we have had to do this but it is a warning of the need to take action now after the driest 12 months since records began. She also says, if we have another dry winter there is a high risk that many parts of the country will certainly be in drought next summer” end quote.

I thought you might like to read this article above and maybe some of us ought to be thinking of harvesting even more rain water (if we get any Lol), it does sound quite serious though. I do remember the saying of 1976 ‘Save water, bath with a friend’ !!!!!!! LOL. I leave you with that thought!! :~)

Some of you may remember my blog about our water butt! Well it has never worked since and still leaks, time me thinks to do something about it!

2 Dec, 2011
11 likes

Comments

Seaburngirl

I saw the article too. It has been 'dryish' except when I want to get in my garden. work days dry, workfree wet. I work more days than I dont too
not fair :o((

2 Dec, 2011

Paulsgarden

love the picture :D It was very dry wasn't it this year - hopefully no hose pipe bans as usual when we have 9 dry days or something - didn't hear this though.

2 Dec, 2011

Bloomer

Oh,Grandmage..don't start me off again ,with that photo ! I think this is where we started our friendship on here :o) and it is still is one of my favourite pics..On a more serious note,it is worrying about our water shortages..I have read about it on our local news too..I hate wasting water..and still save it as much as I can..even in winter..Our supply to the bathroom has such a long way to go,before it gets warm..and I get 6 litres before it does.It is poured in a bucket by the sink,and I use it to wash veg,etc,or rinse hand washed things..or just on the garden if needed..I feel guilty just letting it go down the drain..we are metered,so I keep my bills down to a reasonable amount..

2 Dec, 2011

Sheilabub

Yes Grandmage - I saw a similar report in our paper. Not surprising as we've had hardly any rain since August! It is vitally important to save where we can, so thanks for this. :))

2 Dec, 2011

Alextb

I also saw that article.

2 Dec, 2011

Bamboo

Yes, on the radio yesterday here in London as well. London isn't doing too badly because of the ring main, and only one of the reservoirs is seriously depleted. But I'm just wondering who on earth still leaves the tap running when brushing their teeth - I've not done that for years.

2 Dec, 2011

Bloomer

The ones who couldn't care less,Bamboo..and think it doesn't matter to them..especially if they aren't paying for every bit they use..! ..not their problem,is the attitude..

2 Dec, 2011

Bamboo

Well maybe, but why? I mean what's the purpose of leaving the tap running - it takes 4 minutes (or should do) to clean your teeth, seems like a lifetime when you're doing it, and I don't understand why you'd leave the tap running, it doesn't seem to serve a purpose is what I mean.

2 Dec, 2011

Pimpernel

In danger of serious Grrrring from me...

I have just deleted a long rant.....and I am still grinding my teeth.

2 Dec, 2011

Bamboo

Actually, I keep seeing that photograph in the blog, and every time I do, it makes me laugh... and Pimpernel, fine, just so long as you're grinding your teeth without leaving the tap running...

2 Dec, 2011

Gee19

I thought of this photo when my water butt started to leak - I envisaged myself stuck inside permanently (I am rather round!!) and hastened to buy a new one immediately :)

We have been very dry in this area but the heavens opened yesterday and there is the promise of more to come over the weekend.

2 Dec, 2011

Sanbaz

remember the water butt lol, we had lots of rain here during summer so wont affect us i dont think Grandmage, but the seasons are all upside down and all over the place arent they, trouble with this country is not enough storage, they make enough out of us on water rates so use it properly i say, strange how hotter countries manage and we dont, also the water board waste most of the water by not getting the repairs done, apparently thousands of gallons are lost underground in areas like london as they say they cant keep up with repairs, "take more workers on" use our money, why should we suffer for their incompidence,,,, moan over haha

2 Dec, 2011

Bloomer

I agree with you,San..so much wasted water,by the very companies who ask us to be careful...and very frustrating,when we are trying to do our bit...

2 Dec, 2011

Andrewr

I think the west side of the country has had a lot of rain and the east side very little. Solution - move London to the Lake District :-)

2 Dec, 2011

Hywel

We've had nothing but rain. A few dry sunny days would have been nice. Maybe next year :o)

Why would anyone leave the tap on when cleaning their teeth. What a daft thing to do !

2 Dec, 2011

Grandmage

Hi all, you have been busy while I was watching Corrie!!! Thanks for your great comments, deep down I think we all know what we have to do and that is reserve and save every little drop. I keep a bucket by the back door and am always putting in water from the kettle/sink/saucepan etc. so I know we all try in our own way, it has been a very dry summer here in SE.London, I am now wondering if any shrubs/trees/plants will not make it through the winter, only time will tell. I too turn off the taps whilst brushing my teeth that is something else they taught us in 1976! Also putting stones into the loo bowl so the flushing was less, although now we have one of those loos with two buttons to flush.
ps. glad I made you laugh with the water butt episode!! Lol. goodnight.

2 Dec, 2011

Dianebulley

I bought a second water butt, filled it from the main one, and in 3 months it was empty. Swopped it for a compost bin with a man on the allotments. He said the washer behind the tap needs replacing every 6 months as they go rotten. This was why it had leaked. Couldnt face up to that as I would forget. Our Council then gave us damaged wheelie bins to store water, which are much better. I now have 4. Still think compost in the soil is most useful for retaining moisture.
It might be a good idea for GoYs to ask their local council if they have any damaged wheelie bins that would otherwise go to the tip. They are only damaged at the top by the mechanism on the collection lorry.
I cover mine with old pieces of wood to keep the sun off, and the water stays fresh for months.

3 Dec, 2011

Nariz

Wish I was able to help you all out - there are numerous water-rising places around the village, known as 'fuentes,' so lack of water is never a problem here. Hope the article turns out to be only 'scare-mongering' with no truth in it!

3 Dec, 2011

Grandmage

Diane....brilliant idea there! Thanks for that tip, maybe you should do a blog and show photos of your irrigation method!! Nariz, I am glad that you do not have a water shortage and I think you are right about 'scare-mongering', my garden has gotten quite soggy this last week and it has been dry all summer here in the SE, its so changeable, at least it gives the worms a chance to do their thing!!

3 Dec, 2011

Karensusan63

Yes, I saw the news about the drought.....no such problems up here though...sqelching around in my garden and people had to be rescued from flooded countryside this week over on the West of Scotland. Mmm...I wonder if Alex Salmond has been planning pipelines to England ready for independence...he will be selling you all our water! :)))

3 Dec, 2011

Gattina

Mmm..Yes, we have serious but expected droughts here each year, together with months on end of very, very high temperatures, and today(!) I have had to go out and water my sheltering tubs and pots, because, despite dark, lowering skies and forecasts of rain, we have had not a drop and everything is wilting. We have NEVER had a hosepipe ban, and the nearest we have come to it is an injunction not to water our gardens after 8.oo in the morning. In very hot weather, it would be wasteful and unwise, anyway. We use our well-water up before turning on a tap, though, and have invested in a proper water-butt. It's only sensible, and responsible, I think, as well as easing our water-bills.
You do have difficult times back there, don't you?

3 Dec, 2011

Grandmage

Hi Karen & Gattina, I suppose we forget that we are only a tiny island but our weather has really changed over the last decade, it being far too extreme, hot/cold dry/wet, crazy weather. You seem to be harvesting your water well Gattina and Karen there is no need for you to panic either!! Time will tell for us all!

3 Dec, 2011

Andrewr

Karen - as we're paying for his Parliament, he'd better not even try!

3 Dec, 2011

Karensusan63

Andrew....lol! perhaps we should stay off politics as recommended in the rules...sorry to have raised it! :)))

3 Dec, 2011

Pimpernel

Is OH still in the bucket?

3 Dec, 2011

Grandmage

Lol you two, Andrew & Karen, we dont wont a row do we? And Pim, no, OH is back indoors again, bless him.