East Anglia has been officially declared in drought by the Environment Agency, as Cambridgeshire residents debate housebuilding, water leaks and climate change
Readers of Cambridgeshire Live have responded to the news that drought has been declared in the county, with many highlighting housing development, water leaks, and climate change as factors of concern.
The Environment Agency said on Wednesday (July 29) that the region was in drought. Seven areas across the nation, including East Anglia, are in drought.
They are East Anglia; Hertfordshire and London; Thames Valley; Hampshire and the Isle of Wight; Devon and Cornwall; the West Midlands; and Wessex. This follows exceptionally low rainfall and elevated temperatures.
The fourth heatwave of the year reached its peak on Wednesday, with temperatures reaching up to 35C, as specialists warned wildfires could be “exceptionally severe”. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat-health alert for the East Midlands, the East, South East and London.
Helen Wakeham, director of water at the Environment Agency and chair of the National Drought Group, said: “The hot and dry weather means we are currently using water faster than nature can replenish it.”
One of our readers, Bobbinbootsie, comments: “New houses are still being built, though. Nothing stops that!”
Skipper says: “Infrastructure needs to improve before any more building. It won’t, though – the great god PROFIT rules OK. Anglian Water have had 10 years to improve things since their last hosepipe ban, but have done nothing.”
Rogersinflatablepants writes: “The scientists warned this would happen. Dry hot summers are becoming increasingly more common, and it’s been entirely attributed to man. Don’t believe the deniers’ lies and misinformation.”
Whynot2 adds: “So the water pipelines AW have and are constructing are nothing, that’s a lot of money spent on nothing. People complain about water leaks and with justification but when you think about the length of water mains and secondary pipes they have perhaps the leakage problem isn’t all that bad and if you add the brown water side of it that they have to maintain it’s all time and cost. How many times have AW objected to new developments due to supply problems, and yet the developers have won?”
2ndincommand says: “And houses are still being built in their thousands in the area. Madness.”
On our Facebook page, Andrew H comments: “I’m sure there are lots of people who recall the ‘summer of 76’. Drought, hosepipe bans, poor crops. The water companies said it would take years for the reservoirs to recover. Then came the August Bank Holiday, it rained, & rained, & didn’t stop raining for two months & by Christmas all the reservoirs were full!”
Rachel B believes: “I think the consumers would have more sympathy for Anglia Water if: Anglia Water stopped pumping untreated sewage into the rivers and sea! If Anglia Water fixed reported water leaks in a timely fashion. I know of one main water leak which has been pouring water over the road for approximately 2 weeks!!! (All AW have done so far is put up temporary traffic lights and a few signs – water is still pouring across the road)
“Stopped putting prices up, without improving the service – For example: I live in an area with historically low water pressure, the only thing that has gone up is the price increase! Apart from the new large pipe linking the north to the East Anglia region, has AW invested / improved the local water infrastructure? Not that I can recall.”
Paul B asks: “Why is it our fault? All bloody winter, we had floods and steady rainfall, but Anglian Water did nothing to deal with it. They aren’t interested in stopping the millions of leaks across the region. When was the last reservoir built ?.The population keeps rising, but nothing is done with the infrastructure to deal with it. Just keep pumping millions out to their shareholders.”
Peter J says: “Didn’t think after taking all that extra money from all the new property developments over the years that it might be prudent to build a few reservoirs, or did they hope none of the new houses would want to actually use water?”
Are Anglian Water doing enough throughout the year, regarding our water supplies? Comment below or HERE to have your say.
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