The amazing reservoir pictures that show we really ARE facing a drought: Water levels at just 40% in the middle of winter

Bewl Water has dropped to such a low level that bosses at Southern Water have applied for an emergency drought permit

Water levels in reservoirs, rivers and streams across the country are dropping as Britain faces worst drought for more than 30 years





These shocking pictures show the extent of Britain’s looming drought as one of the largest reservoirs in southern England lies less than half full.

Bewl Water, which supplies the whole of Kent and Sussex, has been drained to 40 per cent of its usual 31 billion litre volume after the dry winter, which has blighted the UK.



Britain is suffering its worst drought for more than 30 years, with a growing likelihood that families will face water restrictions.

Drying up: Bewl Water Reservoir has drained to 40 per cent of its usual volume (pictured here on December 7 2011, when water levels had already dropped to their current low level)

At its normal level: Bewl Water Reservoir five years earlier in December 2006, when it was 80 per cent full

The reservoir, which is the largest open body of water in the South East, has dropped to such a low level that bosses at Southern Water have applied for an emergency drought permit.



This would allow the water company to drain additional water from the nearby River Medway to replenish the Bewl.

The measures could help avoid hosepipe bans and water restrictions this summer.



The dry winter follows a balmy autumn in 2010, which was the second warmest on record.



Resources could be stretched further this year if the dry spell continues into spring, especially in the South East, where the Environment Agency says the risk of drought is now the highest in the country.



Parched: The pictures taken at Bewl Water show the impact of the drought on its water levels

Dry earth: Rocks, pebbles and shingles that normally lie at the bottom of the reservoir are currently exposed as water levels have dropped dramatically

Meyrick Gough, Water Strategy Manager for Southern Water, said the application is a precautionary measure, which would conserve water in the reservoir and help to secure supplies.



‘We have applied for this permit now because taking water in winter is less likely to have any impact on the environment,’ he said.



‘We are licensed to take a certain amount of water from the River Medway to put into Bewl.



‘If the permit is granted, the terms of our licence would temporarily change allowing us to take more water from the river if we need to.’



Drained: If the reservoir stays at its current low level, Southern Water will take water from the River Medway to replenish it

How it should look: Bewl Water Reservoir looking full in 2006

Reservoirs at Ardingly in West Sussex and Draycott near Birmingham are also low and several rivers and streams across the country have already completely dried up following the ‘highly exceptional’ lack of rain, according to the Environment Agency. Volunteers have been drafted to move fish to alternative waters.



Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has called a crisis meeting with water companies, farmers and wildlife groups next week to help tackle the drought.



Conditions are almost as bad as the drought of 1976, which saw rivers run dry, standpipes in the street and farmland ruined, the Environment Agency warned yesterday.

