Data from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology revealed the River Trent suffered its lowest levels of average river flow during February since recordings started in 1959. Typically, February is considered the wettest month of the year. Yet, almost the entirety of central and southern England and Wales have seen less than 30 percent of average rainfall last month. As a result, UKCEH predicts that groundwater levels will remain lowered and rivers flows to stay below normal in the coming month in the Trent catchment. This trend is expected to continue or worsen in the next three months.
It is not just the main River Trent that is affected. Tributaries, such as the Dove, Derwent, Soar, Mease, Tame and Anker, are all expected to see lower flows in the coming month, as long-term trends will tell whether drought conditions could manifest. The news comes, as the National Drought Group stated in mid-February that ‘we are only one hot, dry spell away from the return of a severe drought’.
Last year, record-breaking temperatures and a lack of rainfall put the entire Trent catchment in a state of drought, as drier conditions emerged last spring. While this winter’s higher rainfall helped recovery from drought, concerns about long-term adaptation are becoming increasingly pressing.
Climate-proofing our rivers
Most rivers and catchments have been modified to such an extent that much of their natural resilience has been lost. This resilience helps them balance peaks and troughs. Moreover, low flows concentrate and heat up what the Environmental Audit Committee branded a ‘chemical cocktail’ of pollutants including sewage, agriculture and road pollution with microplastics, slurry, car tyre particles, oils and wet wipes all being part of the problem. Barriers to fish migration mean that during low flows in particular, cooler, cleaner sections of river are blocked off or cannot be reached again offering little room to escape pollution events.
In order to climate proof the catchment we need to ensure that it’s resilient. A resilient catchment is one that is well connected and has a diverse mix of habitats – with deep pools, shallower riffles, meanders, open areas, shaded areas. These different linked habitats, when allowed to function more naturally, can support a larger range of species and offers greater protection to those species in times of stress – like floods or low flows.
Dr Scott McKenzie, Senior Catchment Manager at Trent Rivers Trust
Reducing the pressure of consumption and industry
A 2021 report by the Central Rivers Trust highlights that we abstract around 15,315 billion litres each day for public water supply equating to over 60 million Olympic-size swimming pools. 68% of that water comes from rivers and surface sources, while 31% comes from groundwater reserves underground. To put that into perspective, an average person in England uses 142 litres per person per day – 43 litres more than a person in Denmark does. Research also shows that it is showers and baths that take up most of the household water usage. In other words, shorter showers, swapping baths for showers can have the biggest impact on an individual level. Further, becoming savvy about water usage i.e. by installing a smart metre is an important first step to understand and reduce the impact.
At the same time, Ofwat, notes that a fifth of water running through pipes in England and Wales is currently lost to leakage. As climate change becomes more pressing, the regulator expects significant improvements in the years to come.
There needs to be a recognition that readily available freshwater is a finite resource. With public water usage accounting for about 50% of licensed water usage in England, we need collective action and investment in our infrastructure to reduce the detrimental impact of high water usage on our rivers’
Matt Easter, CEO, Trent Rivers Trust
