Wettest 18 months on record... so of course we're 'short' of water

Lack of reservoirs hits supply

- NADA FARHOUD

THE UK is facing water shortages and hosepipe bans despite enduring the wettest 18 months since records began.

No significant reservoirs have been built in three decades, so water is not stored properly. This causes flooding then water shortages - which are predicted this year if summer is a scorcher.

Two reservoirs are being built in the east of England and another is planned for Havant, Hants, but it is estimated that the country needs 30 to safeguard supplies properly.

Rivers have also been engineered to whisk water away quickly, while many wetlands have been drained to be farmed or built on.