The Environment Agency is moving parts of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight into a state of prolonged dry weather after England’s warmest spring on record.
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight rely on the River Test for its water supply. A state of prolonged dry weather means the Environment Agency is positioned to consider any requests about water usage while protecting this rare, sensitive, chalk stream and the environment that relies on it.
Moving to prolonged dry weather status on Friday 10 July also means the Environment Agency is best placed to react to any incidents in the environment cause by hot temperatures and impact on the water.
Richard O’Callaghan, Environment Planning & Engagement manager at the Environment Agency said:
“The changing climate has seen a whiplash from an exceptionally wet start of the year to prolonged dry weather.
“The pressures on the environment will become heavier. The Environment Agency is positioning itself to get ahead of that.
“We are ready to tackle any incidents during this time and make sure that the needs of the environment are balanced against demands for more water from our most sensitive waterways.”
