Shropshire's water sources in healthy position, says Severn Trent
Severn Trent has offered reassurances that reservoirs and other water sources in Shropshire are in a "healthy position", despite rainfall over the last few months being less than average.
It comes after a series of drier than normal months across parts of the UK has prompted fears of a drought.
Bosses from the National Farmers' Union say farmers across the county will be hoping for some much-needed rain by the end of the week.
They believe that the dry spells have affected some crops but decent rainfall in May and June will put many crops back on track.
Marcus O’Kane, water resources manager for Severn Trent, said there were good plans in place for how to manage a drop in water levels if it happened.
He said: "We’re confident that our water resources are in the best possible position at the moment, and we don’t currently expect any restrictions at all this summer.
"However, if there’s even a chance that it’s going to be a long dry summer, then we need to get into good habits now.
"With weather patterns the way they are lately, we never know what’s around the corner.”
Elsewhere in the country, there have been reports some rivers have run dry in Cumbria and reservoir levels in Cornwall are lower than during the last official water shortage.
Sarah Faulkner, NFU environment adviser, based at Telford, said: “The situation at the moment nationally is patchy with farmers, particularly in the south and east of the country, reporting as low as 10 per cent of their expected March and April rainfall.
“This is not the case in Shropshire and while it is much drier than usual, decent rainfall in May and June will put many crops back on track.
"However; some crops, like spring barley, have already lost some of their potential.
“Shropshire’s dairy and livestock sector will also have seen the impact on grass growth, however, many are busy silaging already and reporting good grass yields.
“We are growing increasingly concerned about the fruit and vegetable sector, but reservoirs are full and abstracted water sources are still available, albeit at lower that normal levels."
She said although there are currently no environmental or water supply issues in the county, the NFU is working closely with the Environment Agency, public water supply companies, Defra and The Met Office to assess the situation as this spell of dry weather continues.
In January, large parts of the UK had less than 75 per cent of their usual rainfall and in March parts of southeastern England and north and east Scotland also had much lower falls than normal.
This was followed by an April that saw many parts of southern and northwestern England, southern and eastern Scotland and Northern Ireland experiencing just a fraction of their usual rainfall.
