Why do we have drought issues?

[Kayless]

http://news.sky.com/h...news/article/16113351
In a nation where it's always hissing down, how can we possibly be short of water? Where does it go?

[ladybirder]

Makes sense EDDIE.

[gingejbee]

I'm surprised that nobody has blamed the "water boards", which ceased existing in 1974.

[bigbadmarty]

Just wondered what the homeopathy brigade would think of that water " remembering " all the sewage etc. it was in before they use it for their dilutions

[rov1100]

During the last drought they promised either to build more reservoirs or to channel water from other reservoirs using canals. Once the panic was over nothing was done even though the population has risen by more than 2 million. Short term politicians with short term solutions...we never learn!

[Mosaic]

One of the advantages to living in grim northern climes is the prevalent moisture. Lots of lovely water. Huge basins of it, everywhere. Granted, we're all covered in algae through lack of sun and warmth, but water - oh yes, we got water.

[DrFilth]

if you think we have problems read about china

http://factsanddetail...&catid=10&subcatid=66

[gingejbee]

Eddie: water suppliers (boards, authorities and companies) have *always* had their "own areas". One of the main reasons that a national "water-grid" is a no-no is the sheer expense (electricity) of moving huge volumes of water around the country.

[vulcan]

Has there ever been any thought given to using rainwater falling on the roof of a building as a source of supply for at the very least, flushing toilets ?
For some strange reason the down pipe on my garage went into a drain in my neighbours garden and recently because of modifications he was carrying out I agreed to alter the guttering and put in a water butt. I was amazed how much water came off a standard size garage, the 250 litre butt has been unable to cope with it all and has been emptied several times.Some went on the garden and car washing but it most of it,sadly, has ended up down the drain.

[gingejbee]

eddie; water-boards were not government-run; they were run (and financed) by local authorities. Not the same thing.

[rov1100]

Seems a very elaborate scheme Eddie to use your grey water especially the installation and running costs.

Surely a better method would be to collect the water from the roof and filter it into your loft. A shut off valve would be required when full?

[rowanwitch]

link water butts in a row with a simple siphon system

[Andyvon]

I think it's wrong to use the word 'drought' here in the UK. I'm sure all those millions of people in Africa or Australia who experience true drought conditions would probably have something to say about that! Drought sometimes extends for years, devastates whole countries and kills millions.

Perhaps areas of the UK experience less water availability than others or below average rainfall compared to other years - but we don't have 'drought'.

[Old_Geezer]

The UK has drought issue because there is not the will to solve the problem. We seem dedicated to cheap water, and not prepared to spend to extract what we need from that all around us.

[seadogg]

Recently the jet stream has been tracking to far south of us but this will change and we will get more rain in the East as the rain bearing weather fronts move in.

Long term there is a perennial problem in the South and East as it has the highest demand and the lowest rainfall for a number of reasons.

[seadogg]

"too" far, sorry