Telegraph
(Filed: 29/05/2006)
Another wet weekend in the wettest May for 23 years coincided with drought restrictions being imposed and water companies being summoned for crisis talks with the Government over continuing shortages.
Rain is likely to continue to dampen the Bank Holiday over much of the country today, increasing this month's rainfall, which is already 34 per cent above the May average.
During a weekend when many beaches and parks have been deserted, except for hardy souls wearing waterproofs, the Environment Agency said the deluge had been insufficient to prevent a crisis.
This was even though April also had slightly above average rainfall and March had 16 per cent more than usual.
In some parts of the South East groundwater stocks - which provide most of the mains supplies in the region - are said to be lower than before the 1976 drought, and figures suggest that the area has seen the driest 18 months for 74 years.
Thames Water has resisted demands from the Environment Agency to impose a drought order, saying consumer groups oppose it and it is consulting lawyers about the implications.
A Thames spokesman said: "We hear the Environment Agency loud and clear but we do not think the legal case adds up.
"We don't underestimate the impact it could have on our customers, particularly small businesses like window cleaners and car washes. Jobs are on the line."
The company will join the other water utilities at a meeting at the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs on Thursday.
It is officially described as a "getting to know you" session with the new secretary of state, David Miliband, but water companies accept that they will have to demonstrate more urgency in the way they are handling the crisis. Mr Miliband's department has already approved three drought orders.
So far only one, introduced on Saturday and covering customers in Sutton and East Surrey, has been implemented. That is the first for 11 years, and while several other areas have hosepipe bans, the drought orders - which also ban paddling pools and watering public parks and sports grounds - have been put on hold by Southern Water and Mid-Kent Water.
The Environment Agency, which will also be attending the summit, is critical about the way in which some water companies are handling the current problems. A spokesman said: ''Water companies are not doing enough to publicise the importance of conserving water.
''In the case of Thames Water, we have told them we believe that action needs to be taken now in case there is a long hot summer. It is prudent to act now."
Holidaymakers hoping to escape to warmer climes from Cardiff airport yesterday faced serious delays because of heavy rain.
