Drought declared in Bucks, Beds & Herts after driest summer on record
It comes after an exceptionally dry few weeks across the country
Last updated 12th Aug 2022
A drought has been declared in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire following the driest summer on record.
The conditions, which have almost completely deprived some areas of rainfall all summer, have prompted the National Drought Group to make the announcement.
Parts of the South West, southern and central England are also covered by the warning.
The change could lead to more measures such as hosepipe bans, however, the Environment Agency has reassured the public that essential water supplies are safe.
The 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.
We've approached Anglian Water to ask whether they will bring in any additional water-saving measures.
Water minister Steve Double said action was already being taken by the Government, the EA and others to manage the impacts.
"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", he said.
"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."
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.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue is among local fire services urging people not to light BBQs or bonfires in the heat.
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.