Britain’s first hosepipe ban of the summer is declared after the driest six months since 1976
- Isle of Man has seen a 50 per cent drop in rainfall since June as heatwave rages
- Britain’s landmark drought in 1976 meant water was rationed by the government
- Officials urged people to not wash their cars and re-use bath water on plants
- Most of England is one stage short of drought status as water usage increased
The first hosepipe ban of the summer in Britain was declared yesterday after the driest six months since the landmark drought of 1976.
A crisis meeting of the National Drought Group (NDG) stopped short of declaring a national state of drought in England and Wales. Officials instead urged voluntary measures such as not washing cars and re-using bath water on garden plants.
But the Isle of Man announced it would bring in a hosepipe ban starting at midnight on Friday.
Manx Utilities confirmed the hosepipe ban would be enforced with hefty fines of up to £2,000
The island has seen a 50 per cent drop in rainfall since June, and Manx Utilities confirmed the ban would be enforced with hefty fines of up to £2,000. A company spokesman said that a campaign to save water had been unsuccessful and usage had risen in recent weeks.
The Environment Agency convened the NDG yesterday, bringing together Defra, water companies, Met Office, National Farmers’ Union and others. Most of England is one stage short of drought status, and with more hot, dry weather predicted in the next few weeks, the agency said any future bans will be determined by individual water companies.
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