Following the Environment Secretary’s announcement on 20 February that the south east of England is officially in drought, Maria Miller, MP for Basingstoke, has been updated on the drought situation in Basingstoke.

 The Environment Agency has told Maria the south east, including Basingstoke, has received only 80% of average rainfall since October 2010, and groundwater levels and the flows in the River Loddon are extremely low. The whole of Hampshire, including Basingstoke, is officially in drought.

 Maria said: “To help ensure that we have enough water over the summer, it is really important for everyone to be very aware of their water use, and be careful not to waste it. South East Water, which supplies Basingstoke’s water, has said that restrictions on water use may need to come into force as early as the spring, if the situation does not dramatically improve within the next few weeks.”

 Maria added: “There is enormous concern for the long-term environmental cost of these low water levels, particular the impact on fisheries and biodiversity. Low water levels exacerbate the problem of pollution, which is already evident in the River Loddon downstream from the Sewage Treatment Works at Chineham. When there is already a huge problem with water supply and pollution, we have to question whether extensive new housing development in Basingstoke can be considered sustainable.”

 The Environment Agency has a 24 hour hotline for people to report any incidents such as fish in distress due to low river levels.  The number is 0800 807060.