Water firms lift hosepipe ban
Veolia Water Central - which covers Herts, Essex, Beds and Bucks - has announced it is lifting its hosepipe ban with immediate effect.
Anglian Water lifts hosepipe ban
Three of the UK's biggest water companies have lifted hosepipe bans which have been in place since April.
Wet weather could bring hosepipe ban to an early end
The Environment Agency says the recent wet weather has greatly reduced the risk of drought and widespread water restrictions this summer.
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Region still in drought despite the heavy rain
The Anglia region is still officially in drought and a hosepipe ban remain in force across much of the area despite the recent weeks of heavy rain.
- Pitsford Reservoir in Northamptonshire is now at 83% capacity compared with 63% at the end of March.
- Rutland Water has increased from 73% full in March to 88% full.
Drought status has been lifted by the Environment Agency for 19 counties in the South West, the Midlands and Yorkshire after persistent rain boosted river and reservoir levels, reducing pressure on the environment and water supplies
MPs discuss the weather in Parliament
With all this wet and windy weather, the MP for Mid Norfolk George Freeman today spoke of the importance of continuing to save water as he addressed the environment secretary in the House of Commons.
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Region set to get 2 week's rainfall in 24 hours
it's been one of the wettest days so far this year, with some places in our region set to have more than two week's rainfall in just 24 hours. Yet despite that, Anglian Water is warning it's nowhere near enough to change the drought situation.
Some of our reservoirs are still less than seventy percent full as Emma Baker reports.
Drought continues
by David Hughes
April showers across the Anglia region have made the month wetter than normal but it's not enough to ease the drought.
Read the full storyFarmers take drought worries to government
Farmers from Norfolk met with government officials on Thursday 19th April to voice their fears about the drought. They're concerned about the long term impacts it will have on our agriculture.
They also discussed how water will be supplied in the future, with options including winter storage and reservoirs.
The delegation of farmers and agriculture specialists was organised by South West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss.
Rain 'doesn't mean an end to the drought'
by Malcolm RobertsonAdvertisement
Reservoirs remain low despite recent rain
by Malcolm Robertson
Recent heavy rainfall over much of the East of England has done little to refill the reservoirs, the Environment Agency has said.
Read the full storyDrought in the East until 2013?
The Environment Agency is today warning the drought in East Anglia could last until Christmas or beyond.
Read the full storyEnvironment Agency warns of flash flooding
There is a warning that the drought gripping our region could increase the risk of flash flooding.
After two unusually dry years the Enviroment Agency says any heavy rainfall is less likely to be absorbed into the ground, meaning flash flooding is more likely if the country is hit by storms.
Grand Union Canal could be used to ease drought
Anglian Water's Head of Resources Mike Cook has told ITV Anglia the company is considering using the Grand Union Canal to move water from the Midlands to the Milton Keynes area.
The news follows plans revealed this morning to move 30 million litres of water a day from bore holes under Birmingham to an Anglian Water reservoir in Lincolnshire.Neither plan has yet been improved but they are seen as a cheaper alternative to building a custom made national water grid.
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