South-West Wales: Hosepipe Ban Starts As Drought Is Declared

A drought has been officially declared in parts of Wales after an extended period of dry weather and low rainfall caused water levels to plummet.

South-west Wales has seen just 65.5% of its average rainfall for July with rivers now running “exceptionally low”, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said.

It comes as the first hosepipe ban in Wales for more than 30 years is also now in force.

The ban covers Pembrokeshire and parts of Carmarthenshire.

It means people will not be allowed to water their plants or wash their cars using a hose.

Gardener Karen Hilton, who has an allotment in Narberth, Pembrokeshire, believed her onions and broccoli were smaller than expected because of the lack of rain.

She said the hosepipe ban meant she would be using her watering can more often.

Allotment holders had, she said, “all been doing rain dances.”

“We’ll be looking to see what vegetables were ok and what did not survive,” she added.

“And we’ll have to learn to plant veg that are more drought-tolerant.”

NRW said the threshold to trigger drought status in south-west Wales was met on Friday with the country experiencing its driest five-month period, between March and July, in 40 years.

It said the decision was taken along with the Welsh government’s Drought Liaison Group due to the impact the prolonged heatwave had wreaked on the environment, particularly rivers and reservoirs.