November rain ends drought in most areas

(by Karma Loveday)

Several areas have announced a change in drought status, following recent wet weather and 149% of long-term average rainfall in November.

The East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire have moved into recovery status. Yorkshire Water has removed its hosepipe ban. It said its reservoir levels are now at 91.6%, and that Hull aquifer levels are at 77%, and that this means that available water resources across reservoirs, rivers, and groundwater sources are above average for this time of year (85.1%).

The North West, which was the first to declare drought status in May, is now out of the recovery stage and back to normal. The North East has moved from prolonged dry weather to drought recovery. However, the parts of Sussex served by South East Water remain in drought.  

Nationally, public water supply reservoir levels are now 79.8% full, only slightly below the 81.9% expected for this time of year.