The vast majority of areas are now classed as good rather than moderate.
As a result of this year's late winter recharge, groundwater levels are continuing to rise in many areas and are now well above those of April 2017. Although groundwater levels in some areas are still below normal for the time of year they are all recovering well, even moving into the normal range in places. The vast majority of areas are now classed as good rather than moderate.
'Good' prospects mean that water levels are average or above average, and supplies are expected to be safe. There is a possibility of minor local controls on abstraction from surface water in late summer if the weather is exceptionally hot and dry.
“This is a useful confirmation of where we stand although it won’t come as any surprise to farmers and growers,” NFU water specialist Paul Hammett said. “Recent rainfall has allayed all lingering concerns about water availability, with growers struggling to get spring crops planted following unseasonably cold and wet conditions”.
“It is far too early to predict where we will be at the height of the irrigation season and we are urging our members to look out for future Environment Agency updates so that they can keep on top of the situation as it develops."
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