Kent’s hidden water reserves could save summer crops

Kent’s famous chalk could help spare the county from drought this summer.  

The national Environment Agency has warned of potential water shortages following a record dry spring. 

But Mark Betson, a water resource specialist in the National Farmers Union’s east regional team, says Kent farms are better off than other areas of the UK. 

He said: “Kent is in a fortunate position that it’s been buffered by good stores of water from previous years’ heavy rainfall that is stored in the chalk aquifer which is underneath.” 

However, Mr. Betson admitted he thinks there are still potential challenges for Kent this summer. 

He said: “We will wait to see what happens. If it does turn out to be particularly dry the potential challenges will grow and I think that’s when we need to really start reassessing the situation.” 

No areas are currently in drought, but the Environment Agency has said there is a “medium” risk going into the summer months. 

Mr. Benson added: “It’s one of the interesting things around some of the challenges that potentially are coming our way with climate change. 

“We went from particularly wet conditions last year through to this spring which we have been told by the Environment Agency is the driest since 1956.” 

The water resource specialist highlighted that in specific areas and certain circumstances there is reason to be concerned. 

He said: “We are all waiting to see what will happen in the next few weeks, hoping that there will be some rain and that as we go into the summer that the situation becomes much more normal in terms of rainfall.”