Case study: the impact of drought in the UK, 2004

The years 2004 – 2006 were one of the driest periods on record in the UK.

The South East of England is particularly vulnerable to drought due to the high population density – 13 million people live in the region – and the demand for water resources. There are few reservoirs, therefore there is a heavy reliance on groundwater supplies. Two consecutive dry winters meant that these supplies were not replenished.

Drought warning in Devon

• Hose-pipe bans were introduced in an effort to conserve water.
• Ground-water fell to its lowest level on record.
• Some rivers dried up.
• Low river flow means that pollution has a greater impact on the environment.
• Fish are more likely to die because of low flow, low oxygen levels, and higher water temperatures.
• Kew Gardens introduced a range of measures to conserve water, eg only watering newly planted trees, and newly turfed areas.

Now try a Test Bite