Reservoirs benefit from wettest March in over 40 years

Reservoirs across England appear to have benefited from the country’s wettest March in over 40 years.

Data through March 30 showed 111.3mm of rain fell for the month across the country, 91% more than average.

As a result, the water levels appear to have risen, with huge differences visible compared to summer.

Composite of photos showing Ardingly Reservoir in West Sussex at the end of March after recent wet weather during March, and at the end of September 2022 when the use of hosepipes was banned (Andrew Matthews/Gareth Fuller/PA)

Two photographs of Ardingly Reservoir in West Sussex, taken at the end of March, show the impact the wet month has had on levels compared to September 2022, after a particularly dry summer.

The region had 132.7mm of rain for all of last month, which is 240% of average, making it its wettest since 2001.

It comes after a dry February meant a drop in the amount of water in the Ardingly Reservoir, according to Environment Agency data.

“March was very wet for West Sussex, the fifth wettest month on record.”

Composite of photos dated 02/04/23 (top) showing Hanningfield Reservoir in Essex after recent wet weather during March, and 10/08/22 (bottom) during a particularly dry summer (Nicholas T Ansell /Dominic Lipinski/ PENNSYLVANIA)

Alex Burkill, a Met Office meteorologist, told the PA news agency: “Water levels weren’t particularly high in March, it takes several months of wet weather to have a significant impact on reservoirs.

In August 2022, both Ardingly Reservoir and Hanningfield Reservoir in Essex saw their water level drop by more than a fifth, the largest drop on record for any reservoir or group of reservoirs.

Steve Andrews, head of utility management for South East Water, said: “Our water resources are in a healthy position at the moment and a bit above what we would expect them to be.

weather records — Composite of photos dated 30/03/23 (top) showing Baitings Reservoir in Ripponden, West Yorkshire and 12/08/22 (bottom) when water levels were low (Danny Lawson/PA)

“Over the past three to six months, we have seen the dry conditions experienced during the summer have been replaced by a period of exceptionally high rainfall that has had the benefit of replenishing our groundwater sources and reservoirs ready for summer 2023. .

“During February, we saw a return to drier conditions, which reminded us of the importance of being vigilant, and we are closely monitoring conditions as we head into spring.

“As the days get longer and temperatures rise, we expect to see increased demand for water, so we will continue to work with our customers by asking them to use water wisely.”

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