http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/36402/story.htm
Drought Tightens Grip on Southern England
UK: May 17, 2006
LONDON - Millions of Britons face tough water restrictions this summer as the worst drought in 100 years threatens parts of the country, the government and water companies said on Tuesday.
Despite its rain-soaked image, southeast England has less water available per person than parts of Sudan and the southern Mediterranean, a government body said.
There is a "real risk" of people being forced to queue for water at temporary standpipes in the streets this year, according to the Environment Agency.
Parts of southern England will see parched lawns, empty swimming pools and yellowing golf courses after the government granted a water company special powers to restrict the "non-essential" use of water for the first time in 11 years.
"Reservoir levels may have risen, but river flows and groundwater levels are worryingly low," Environment Minister Ian Pearson said in a statement. "We face potentially the worst drought for 100 years."
Southern England is most at risk because of its high population, below-average rainfall in recent years and reliance on water from depleted boreholes.
Britain's biggest supplier, Thames Water, a unit of German utility RWE, said there was a "distinct possibility" it would seek extra powers to limit water use.
"The situation is serious and very finely balanced," a spokeswoman said. "We are reviewing on a day-to-day basis."
(...)
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Tony Blair's spokesman said the government had urged water firms to do more to save water.
The Institution of Civil Engineers said the industry had failed to put enough money into infrastructure since a wave of privatisations in the late 1980s.
(((Naturally, since this is Britain, people blame privatization
for the stark fact that rain no longer falls out of the clouds.)))
