Standpipes could be a solution to water shortage in UK

A lack of groundwater in the UK after three successive dry winters could mean that standpipes are called into use once again this summer for the first time since 1976.

Standpipes are commonly used in dryer regions such as the Middle East, the Caribbean and North Africa.  They are a freestanding pipe that is fitted with a tap and installed outdoors in streets to areas that do not have running water fitted to buildings.

The last time these systems were used was in the summer of 1976 when, after dry winters, a heat wave in the UK prompted water companies to cut off water to homes and instead supply water from tanks or standpipes in the street.

Successive dry winters in the UK mean that similar systems could be brought into use again, it has been warned, with the environment secretary Caroline Spelman signalling that the UK still faces a water shortage despite enduring the wettest April on record.

Many counties in England are already under hosepipe bans, but Ms Spelman said that the present "temporary restrictions" on non-essential use were designed to ensure "we don't have to move to more stringent restrictions later".

Talking to the BBC's Inside Out programme, she said: "Whereas it's most unlikely we would have standpipes this year, if we have another dry winter that becomes more likely."

This indicates that the hosepipe ban is likely to last into the foreseeable future, and other water monitoring processes are also likely to be given the go-ahead to ensure that the demand for water is reduced and that the use of water is more efficient.

From the local government's standpoint, this will begin to influence how new housing and business developments are looked at. Ms Spelman said: "We need to look at a whole range of ways in which we can help to reduce demand for water and become more water-efficient. One of the questions which has to be in councillors' minds is: do we have enough water to supply this new development?"

Posted by Claire Manning