Water resources and drought prospects

Water resources are generally very healthy after three years of exceptional weather. In many parts of England, chalk groundwater levels are very high and there is a risk of groundwater flooding in some areas. But as in any year, a very dry winter could lead to low river flows in places and limit the availability of water for farmers next year.

• Review of the 2010-2012 drought and prospects for water resources in 2013 (December 2012) (PDF, 2MB)
  
  
• Water situation report for England and Wales

Key findings from the December 2012 report

• water resources are generally very healthy
• groundwater levels in some of the sandstone aquifers in the Midlands are still exceptionally low. These aquifers are always slow to respond to rain and may not fully recover for 12-18 months
• in April 2012 people in parts of England faced the possibility of the most severe drought since the summer of 1976
• six months of record rainfall from April to September brought the drought to a rapid conclusion and led to considerable localised flooding
• all sectors can improve their plans to manage the consequences of a severe drought. This drought has shown all interested groups the benefits of working together
• it is important that everyone continues to use water wisely