Water quality vital as climate change kicks in

The need to maintain good levels of water quality is becoming even more important as the UK continues to see less rainfall.

Representatives of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have suggested that water companies need to be fully prepared to deal with possible shortages in the future.

Members of the organisation have highlighted the recent dry spells throughout April 2011 and stated that this could merely be a "snapshot" of things to come thanks to the effects of climate change.

Last month, just 24 per cent of the average rainfall for that time of year fell over Britain.

"There has been understandable concern which underlines the importance of taking steps now to protect the water supply that could be under threat from a drier climate," commented environment minister Lord Henley.

Despite fears over droughts, Defra has also announced that the government is making more funding available for flood and coastal erosion defence projects.

Posted by Claire Manning