The British government announced today that parts of the south, center and east England officially entered drought status after a long period of hot and dry weather.

The National Drought Working Group was convened after England’s driest July since 1935. This month saw only 35% of the average rainfall, with parts of England and Wales issued a four-day ‘extreme heat’ warning today.

“We have been assured by all water companies that essential supplies are still secure,” Water Resources Minister Steve Dumble said in a statement. “We are better prepared than ever for periods of dry weather, but we will continue to closely monitor the situation, including its impact on farmers and the environment, and take further action as necessary.”

Water companies will now begin implementing pre-agreed drought plans to help protect water supplies, and the government has said the public and businesses in drought-affected areas are being urged to use water wisely.

The last time a drought was declared in England was in 2018.

The source of the Thames dried up

At the same time, the headwaters of the River Thames have dried up more than ever before, and experts warn the country is not ready for a drought.

The Thames stretches for 356 kilometers through southern England, passing through Gloucestershire in the west and through central London before emptying into the Essex Sea in the east.

The natural spring that feeds the river dries up for most of the summer. However, this year the area of ​​the dry river bed has increased significantly more than in previous years, according to observations by conservationists.

“Usually the Thames is at its source – and there’s a good pub next door – about 15km back,” said Alistair Knoll, of the Rivers Trust, standing on a small stretch of the Thames in Cricklade, about 80km west of London.

“It’s very, very shallow here… but you don’t have to go much further than this section of the Thames to the spring to be on land. Indeed, this place must be wet and must always be wet.”

Knoll said the shallower, warmer water contains less oxygen needed for fish and other wildlife to thrive.

Thames Head Inn is located at the source, a few steps from the rock that marks the source of the river in Gloucestershire. His manager, David McMicking, 31, said he was concerned about the impact climate change would have on the river named after the pub.

“It’s still the official source of the Thames, so the stone will always be there, but whether the water comes in is another matter,” McMeeking said, filling a pint of beer from behind the bar.

Yesterday, Thursday, a four-day “extreme heat” warning went into effect in parts of England and Wales. The weather service issued its first warning last month, the first time temperatures topped 40°C.

University of Reading climate expert and hydrologist Hannah Cloke said poor rainfall has caused river and groundwater levels to drop, with water leaving canals to irrigate crops, fill reservoirs with potable water and be used by industry.

“If we don’t have rain in August, if we have a dry winter, then next spring and summer we could be in serious trouble because we really won’t have any water supplies left,” Cloke said.

She said restrictions on private irrigation are useful because they help change citizens’ attitudes about water use, but more importantly, investment in infrastructure and policies that prevent climate change from worsening.

The use of a watering hose is prohibited

Earlier today, the Yorkshire Water Company announced that a hose ban would go into effect from August 26, preventing customers from using hoses to water gardens, wash cars or fill plastic swimming pools.

“Hot and dry weather means water levels in Yorkshire’s rivers are dropping and water levels in our reservoirs are about 20% lower than we expected at this time of year,” said Neil Davies, Water Resources Manager at Yorkshire Water.

The company, which serves about 2.3 million households and 130,000 businesses in the north of England and the Midlands, has become the latest regional water company to announce restrictions on water use.

The ban on hoses and sprinkler systems for South East Water Company customers went into effect today. Thames Water, which supplies water to 15 million customers in London and the south east of England, said it plans to implement similar cuts.

With information and photos from Reuters