The Environment Agency has apologised over a statement which wrongly stated just two areas of England are currently in drought status.

The statement mistakenly said just North Norfolk and Cornwall/South-West Water remained in drought.

However, it missed out several other parts of the region which still have drought status - including in Suffolk.

The statement - issued on April 13 in response to an East Anglian Daily Times request for an update on the drought position in the East of England - missed out the catchments of North-West Norfolk, Cam and Ely Ouse, Broadland and East Suffolk which still have drought status.

Other areas of the East of England in ‘Recovering Drought’ status are the Upper Bedford Ouse, Essex and Old Bedford & Middle Level catchments.

 

East Anglian Daily Times:

A spokesman said it was a communications office error - and not one made by Environment Agency officers.

However, an accurate April 17 briefing from the agency's East Anglia area director shows an improving situation for the region following a wet March.

Graham Verrier reported that following a very dry February the area had benefited from well above average rainfall in March.

Rainfall totals varied between 163% and 256% of long-term averages, he said.

"This has resulted in an extended groundwater recharge season and has improved conditions in some catchments, allowing them to move into ‘Recovering Drought’, while others continue to see the effects of drought on surface water flows, groundwater levels ecology and abstractors," he said.

Mr Verrier said while Recovering Drought status areas were seeing improving surface water flows, groundwater levels and ecological recovery the agency was continuing to monitor the situation.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency apologised for the mistake. "What we sent was incorrect last week for which we apologise," he said.

A national drought meeting due to be held on Monday, April 24, bringing together various bodies would offer up a clearer picture of the overall situation, he said.

"Water company reservoir levels have improved over winter," said Mr Verrier in his briefing.

"With average rainfall we can expect the situation to continue to improve, but cannot rule out the potential for abstraction restrictions in accordance with the pre-agreed terms and conditions on abstractors’ licences."

The agency was planning for further dry weather impacts this year and was not ruling out the potential need for active restrictions to abstraction if there is an extremely hot dry spell.

However, this was currently considered low risk, he said.