UK Facing Worst Drought In A Century - Kent Now Drier Than Jerusalem

[hatrack]

March 30 (Bloomberg) -- Kent, known as the Garden of England, is drier than Jerusalem. Or Istanbul. Or Dallas. Rainfall in southern England this year is the third-lowest on record, robbing Kent of its lush countryside. Streams have vanished and reservoir levels are plunging.

``You are looking at the prospect of the worst drought for 100 years in the south and southeast,'' U.K. Environment Minister Elliot Morley said in a telephone interview. ``That depends on what the outcome of rain between now and the summer is.''

Forecasters say precipitation will remain below average, prompting seven utilities to restrict water use for more than 15 million people. Residents are forbidden to use sprinklers or garden hoses in London, Kent and surrounding districts, and violators may be fined as much as 1,000 pounds. Water companies are asking for government permission to ban non-essential water use by local authorities and companies.

There's also an effort to update some infrastructure. Thames Water, which supplies 8 million people in the London area, is spending 1 billion pounds ($1.7 billion) to replace 20,000 miles of leaky pipes. The Victorian-era pipes lose a third of the water sent from reservoirs to homes, according to the Birmingham-based Office of Water Services.

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http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000085&sid=akBtaTYXOs3k&refer=europe