VIDEO: Water restrictions ‘likely this summer’

Restrictions on water usage by farmers are likely this summer, the Environment Agency has warned.

Soil moisture deficits in parts of East Anglia were worse now than in 1976, said Graham Wilson, national drought manager at the Environment Agency.

The agency expected most farm reservoirs to be full by time they were needed later this year, Mr Wilson told the UK Irrigation Association spring conference on Wednesday (29 February).

But restrictions on groundwater abstraction by farmers were certainly possible.

Prospects for spray irrigation this summer, were poor, said Mr Wilson. The situation was “extremely pessimistic” & “particularly bleak”.

The law meant essential water company supplies would take precedence over supplies to farmers, he told 120 delegates at the Orton Hall Hotel, Peterborough.