Building Resilience in the Agricultural Sector
As much as we all love the sunshine and have been embracing the recent warmer weather spell across the UK, the prolonged dry conditions are now raising concerns that England may be at risk of a potential drought this summer.
Following an exceptionally sunny and dry April, which experienced just over 56% of usual rainfall, the start of May was also the warmest on record, surpassing the previous high set in 1990. With water resources already strained, it is more important than ever that proactive measures are promptly adopted to mitigate this risk, promote water conservation and avoid the potential for future restrictions.
We asked Principal Water Resources Specialist, Tamsin Morey, for her thoughts on the matter...
Tamsin, what dangers are we already seeing in the UK?
'The current dry spell in the UK is already causing significant issues. Many places have gone without any rain for weeks, resulting in declining river flows across many areas. This has led to depleting reservoir storage levels across England, which currently stand at 84% of total capacity. Not only does this place increasing pressure on public water supplies, but it also raises concerns about potential crop failures, with farmers in some parts of the country already engaging in earlier than usual irrigation. Those in the agricultural and horticultural industries rely heavily on large amounts of water for irrigation, raising livestock and maintaining soil moisture, making it a sector highly susceptible to the effects of drought. Unless we experience a consistent period of rainfall imminently, these issues are set to worsen as we head towards the summer months.'
Will a few days of rain solve the problem?
'Not always. Often, several weeks of steady rainfall is needed to replenish the soil after a persistent dry period, however this is dependent on regional differences. Some areas in the UK, including parts of Wales and South-west England, have experienced some recent rainfall, despite still being below average levels. However, parts of Greater London, Lancashire and Yorkshire have not seen a drop of rain for well over a month!'
Is this just a problem for surface water abstractors or are groundwater abstractors impacted too?
'Despite surface water levels currently being very low, with increased soil moisture deficits (SMD)’s in many areas, groundwater levels are in a comparatively good state due to their slower response to drier conditions.
Surface water (SW) supplies that are subject to Hands-Off Flow (HoF) conditions may already be at risk. When river levels fall below a certain threshold, abstraction must stop or be reduced to protect the environment, which can quickly impact users who rely on these sources. In contrast, many groundwater sources currently within normal operating ranges may continue to provide a reliable supply, at least for now.
Predictions suggest that groundwater (GW) levels will remain within the normal range by the end of the summer, despite the current dry spell. In groundwater-fed catchments, this will continue to support surface water (SW) flows, helping to maintain more stable river conditions. However, in more responsive or ‘flashy’ catchments—where rivers rely heavily on recent rainfall rather than sustained groundwater inputs—flows are expected to remain very low. This distinction is important, as it influences how resilient different areas are to prolonged dry weather and the likelihood of abstraction restrictions being triggered.'
How can farmers/growers in England prepare for water scarcity events?
'With the fear of depleting supplies and earlier than usual irrigation, it may be difficult for those in the agricultural and horticultural industry to know how to protect their supplies.
In April 2023, the Government introduced a Water Management grant round 2, with this initiative providing funding to businesses, farmers and organisations undertaking activities that contribute to the sustainable management of water resources, including new reservoirs. Whilst applications are closed for this year, it is something to bare in mind for the future as further rounds are likely.'
How can we help?
'Water is a vital resource across many industries and we cannot reiterate enough the importance of planning to increase your water resilience against drought. By taking proactive steps including assessing your water risk, investing in new technologies and collaborating with experts such as ourselves, you can better prepare for water scarcity events and future proof your supplies.
Envireau Water is actively involved with several leading industry groups, including the National Farmers Union and the Food and Drink Federation, to develop tools allowing growers to plan for and mitigate against drought. With over 25 years experience in high-level regulator negotiation and planning support, our specialist water resources team can guide you throughout the process.
Contact myself or fellow Principal Water Resources Specialist, Harriet Robson, to discuss you requirements.'
About Envireau Water
Envireau Water is a team of expert water scientists and engineers who provide guidance on the management and regulation of natural water systems across the UK. By working collaboratively with out clients and the regulators, we deliver robust, sustainable solutions that meet the requirements of all stakeholders. With a loyal client base and our ability to work seamlessly throughout the four nations of the UK, many of our clients know us individually and trust us to find resolutions to their water problems for years to come.
