People in the South West have been urged to use water wisely as a spell of dry weather continues to impact the environment.
Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has been moved to prolonged dry weather status by the Environment Agency (EA) after England’s warmest spring on record and a series of summer heatwaves.
It said the status recognised the low levels of rainfall and reduced river flows locally along with the high temperatures increasing pressure on the environment.
Joanne Laeger, EA’s environment planning and engagement manager, said everyone needed to do their bit as “the climate is changing”.
Laeger said: “Following the warmest spring on record and the third heatwave of the year, we could see a summer of environmental incidents ranging from fish in distress to algal blooms.
“The Environment Agency urges everyone to do their bit and use water more wisely.
“The more water we use, the less there is available for the environment.”
She added the South West was the third EA area to move into a state of prolonged dry weather this year.
