Many parts of Europe are experiencing water shortages due to drought. The Netherlands and England are now tackling this shortage with all kinds of measures, such as a ban on garden hoses.
Due to the drought, the Netherlands has now officially declared a water shortage. In order to conserve water, it is currently banned in many parts of the country to use irrigation systems on agricultural land. Some canals were also closed to shipping. Due to the low water levels, some rivers are filled with salt water from the sea. In the field of water, priority is now given to securing important dikes, generating energy and supplying drinking water.
appeal to personal responsibility
As Minister of Infrastructure and Water Mark Habers explained, the drought is “increasingly visible in nature” and will soon affect “the social interests” of the Dutch. Habers also said: “I urge all Dutch people to think carefully about whether they should wash their cars or fill their inflatable pool completely.” But the Netherlands is not the only one affected by the drought: in many parts of Europe. These extreme weather events are due to climate change.
Too little rain in England
In addition to the Netherlands, England is also struggling with water shortages. The south east of England has received about eight percent of the usual average amount of rain, with minimums expected to be similar for August and September. According to official data, July was the driest month in Britain since 1935. Due to this extreme scarcity, the population uses significantly more water. In July, for example, 120 million liters of water more than usual were consumed every day. According to the water supplier of the South East Water region, four more cities could be supplied with these values.
High fines
In the English regions of Kent and Sussex it is therefore prohibited to use garden hoses and lawn sprinklers. This temporary measure, effective August 12, has been announced by South East Water. Anyone ignoring this order can expect a fine of up to £1,000, the equivalent of around £1,200. A similar arrangement previously existed on the Isle of Man.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
