No, Protect Kent are not stating that there will
be a drought next year – but that is only because there has not been any formal
declaration made to that effect!
However, based on the current water resources situation, the risk of
parts of Britain, especially the South East, enduring drought measures next
summer is becoming very likely.

Autumn has come and gone, but the usual
weather patterns and rainfall were noticeably absent.  November continued a pattern set in the
preceding months of Autumn, receiving under 60% of the rainfall that is
considered 'normal' for this month.
Reports from the Environment Agency show that "the last three months
have been the fifth driest September – November period since 1910" and "2011
has experienced the fourth driest January to November period".

However, should our weather 'return to normal
service' over December and the following months, and we receive rainfall
commensurate with this time of year, drought measures can be avoided.  This will in part be due to appropriate
measures incorporated within water companies' Water Resource Management Plans –
something Protect Kent have encouraged in the past.

So what does next year have in store for us 'water-wise'?

Well, the first Drought Order in the South
East is likely to be in operation in early January.  South East Water have applied to Defra for a
specific Order, to enable them to replenish stocks in Ardingly Reservoir
(serving 72,000 homes across East and West Sussex) over the winter period.  This will happen irrespective of future
rainfall, as the amount of "usable" water currently available in the reservoir
is only about 12%.

Should a formal drought be declared, then we
must expect to see a number of other applications for Drought Orders being
issued by water companies.  In Kent, our
major surface water source is Bewl Water, near Lamberhurst, which was
approaching minimum levels at the end of November.  But at the moment Southern Water are just
keeping a watchful eye on the situation.
Thankfully, in Kent, around 70% of our potable water is supplied from
groundwater sources, which at present are generally healthy.

Protect Kent will also be keeping a watchful
eye on the situation ... and you can expect to read more about this serious
issue, should the situation worsen.