The whole of Wales has now moved to drought status, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has confirmed. Heavy rainfall over recent days and weeks has not been enough to compensate for the impacts of the heatwaves and dry weather over the summer, data has shown.
South west, south east and parts of mid Wales were already in drought before the announcement, which now includes north Wales. It comes after the Wales Drought Liaison Group met on Thursday to consider the latest impacts that months of insufficient rain has had on the environment and people in the region.
NRW officers have now raised significant concerns for the ecosystems and habitats, water supplies, land management and agriculture around the north east of Wales, particularly in the Anglesey, Dee and Clwyd catchments. Senior representatives from NRW, Welsh Government, water companies and key representative groups concluded on Thursday that the area should move from prolonged dry weather status to drought.
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Natalie Hall, sustainable water manager at Natural Resources Wales said: “After a dry spring and summer, and the impact very little rain over a sustained period have had on our natural environment, we have taken the decision to move the whole of Wales into drought status.
“Rainfall experienced across the country over recent weeks has not been anywhere near enough to replenish rivers, groundwater or reservoirs to normal levels. We will need to see sustained or above average rainfall over the coming weeks and months to see any tangible difference. If we don’t see that rainfall, we can expect many areas to remain in drought.
“While essential water supplies remain safe, the public and businesses right across Wales areas are being urged to use water wisely and manage this precious resource at this time.”
Between March and August this year, Wales received just 56.7% of its expected rainfall, the third driest six-month period since records began in 1865 (based on provisional data). In August alone, Wales received just 38% of its average monthly rainfall. The Met Office has also confirmed that this summer has been the eighth warmest for Wales since 1884.
The prolonged dry period has led to exceptionally low river flows, low groundwater levels and a decline in reservoir levels right across the country, with most well below average for the time of year. Wales has also seen higher temperatures in its waters and on land than expected for this time of year.
These conditions have exacerbated pressures on our land, habitats, species, wildlife and water supplies over recent weeks, leading to the first ‘official’ drought to be declared across Wales since 2005/2006.
While sufficient rainfall over the autumn and winter months would go some way to replenishing rivers, lakes, groundwaters and reservoirs to normal levels by the spring, NRW said it will continue to work with Welsh Government, water companies and abstractors to ensure the needs of water users and the environment are met next year in the event of a dry autumn or winter.
Over the coming months, NRW will manage the impacts of drought and help balance the needs of water users and the environment across Wales. This includes working with water companies, monitoring river flows and ensuring abstractors are complying with their licence conditions.
Natalie Hall added: “Each drought is different in its extent, severity and impact. As such, it is difficult to predict when we will see the environment, our water supplies and the agricultural sector move into recovery.
“The impact of climate change and the likelihood of more frequent and more severe weather presents an ever-greater challenge for every part of society. As we continue to manage the environmental impacts of this drought, we will also ensure that we sustain and step up our own actions to and work with partners to make sure Wales is in the strongest possible position to manage any drought risk in 2023 and beyond.”
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