England drought: Everyone must rethink their water use, experts say

[Scott]

Image source, PA Media

Water levels are low at many reservoirs, including this one in West Yorkshire

Everyone who uses water must rethink and make sure they use it wisely, the chairman of the body that has declared droughts around England says.

"We have got to rethink... and that means everyone, not just regulators and government," said Harvey Bradshaw, chair of the National Drought Group.

He is also executive director of the Environment Agency, which has warned the drought could last into next year.

A Met Office warning of extreme heat is continuing into Sunday.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-62532620

[RayC]

Those old enough to remember the drought of '76 will know that there's a simple solution to this problem: Appoint Dennis Howell as 'Minister of Drought'. No rain for months, but as soon as he takes office it p's down for a week! 

 

What's that? Howell's dead! Oh well, back to the drawing board.

[placeholder]

Water firms ‘sold off reservoirs that could have eased drought’ 'Profit ahead of supply'

Water companies have now come under criticism for their alleged failure to plan for drought.

The Telegraph has today reported that dozens of reservoirs have been given up by companies but no new ones have been built in the last 30 years.

Andrew Sells, who headed Natural England between 2014 and 2019, said this was evidence of the businesses putting profits before resilience.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1653406/water-firms-sold-reservoirs-could-have-eased-drought-latest-news

 

It would have made sense to sell off the water companies if it worked to promote competition. But it couldn't. Some services, like public health and water, are better for most if they stay public.

Thanks for nothing, Thatcher.

[pegman]

No worries the rains are coming.

 

https://www.express.co.uk/news/weather/1655109/uk-weather-met-office-yellow-warning-thunderstorms

[baboon]

2 hours ago, placeholder said:

Water firms ‘sold off reservoirs that could have eased drought’ 'Profit ahead of supply'

Water companies have now come under criticism for their alleged failure to plan for drought.

The Telegraph has today reported that dozens of reservoirs have been given up by companies but no new ones have been built in the last 30 years.

Andrew Sells, who headed Natural England between 2014 and 2019, said this was evidence of the businesses putting profits before resilience.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1653406/water-firms-sold-reservoirs-could-have-eased-drought-latest-news

 

It would have made sense to sell off the water companies if it worked to promote competition. But it couldn't. Some services, like public health and water, are better for most if they stay public.

Thanks for nothing, Thatcher.

Which other country on earth have sold off their water to foreign interests? None, bar the CON party of England. Oh, and gas, electricity and railways too. Air Traffic Control also.

Oh, and Prisons too.

If you don't have state institutions, you don't have a state. Shouting online will not change that. And waving your tatterd cross of Saint George won't help either. 

 

Edited August 14, 2022 by baboon

[champers]

Water companies have been selling off reservoirs ever since privatisation; it is by no means a recent phenomenem.

All water companies have a monopoly; unlike gas and electricity; in their operating areas. You have no choice as a customer.

As such a vital resource, water should be owned and managed by one national body. There should be a co-ordinated national grid for water. In theory, it should be a straightforward job to manage supplies through canals and rivers along with pipelines and pumping systems.

In times of droughts in Europe it is not unheard of for water to be sold and shipped from Scotland to Mediterranean countries.

Edited August 14, 2022 by champers