LONDON - Millions of Britons face tough water restrictions this summer as the worst drought in 100 years threatens parts of the country, the government and water companies said on Tuesday.
Despite its rain-soaked image, southeast England has less water available per person than parts of Sudan and the southern Mediterranean, a government body said.
There is a "real risk" of people being forced to queue for water at temporary standpipes in the streets this year, according to the Environment Agency.
Parts of southern England will see parched lawns, empty swimming pools and yellowing golf courses after the government granted a water company special powers to restrict the "non-essential" use of water for the first time in 11 years.
"Reservoir levels may have risen, but river flows and groundwater levels are worryingly low," Environment Minister Ian Pearson said in a statement. "We face potentially the worst drought for 100 years."
Southern England is most at risk because of its high population, below-average rainfall in recent years and reliance on water from depleted boreholes.
Britain's biggest supplier, Thames Water, a unit of German utility RWE, said there was a "distinct possibility" it would seek extra powers to limit water use.
"The situation is serious and very finely balanced," a spokeswoman said. "We are reviewing on a day-to-day basis."
The first company to receive the powers, Sutton and East Surrey Water, said its current hosepipe ban would be extended to cover private swimming pools, parks and golf courses.
Trade groups said thousands of small firms, such as window cleaners, car washers and garden shops, would be hit.
The Horticultural Trades Association, which represents 2,500 garden centres, said the curbs would cost the industry an estimated 300 million pounds this year.
The National Farmers' Union said the drought rules did not cover commercial growers, but would hit its members' biggest customers, such as local authorities.
The Federation of Small Businesses, which has 195,000 members, said water suppliers should fix leaks in the system rather than take steps which will hit smaller companies.
"They need to think about investing some more of their profit in preventing leaks before they come threatening the livelihoods of small businesses, a spokesman said.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Tony Blair's spokesman said the government had urged water firms to do more to save water.
The Institution of Civil Engineers said the industry had failed to put enough money into infrastructure since a wave of privatisations in the late 1980s.
"This has to change," said John Lawson, Chairman the ICE Water Board. "Water is currently valued too cheaply and the only way that new infrastructure can be afforded is to ask consumers to pay the true price for water."
Organisers of sporting events are watching the situation.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club, which runs the Wimbledon tournament each June and July, is in talks with Thames Water.
A Wimbledon spokeswoman said the grass-court championship would go ahead regardless of any new restrictions.
Ed Mitchell, national secretary of the National Association of Public Golf Courses, said greens nurtured over decades may never recover. "We've got our fingers crossed," he said.
Story by Peter Griffiths
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
