Oct. 29, 2003 -- An environmental group has predicted that the nation of Wales will run out of drinking water within four weeks unless there is significant rainfall.
The group Stormforce has been monitoring reservoir levels in the small European country since 1987, according to the IC Wales news web site.
The group, which says the low reservoir levels are a result of recent climate changes, is predicting that several major towns in Wales will be out of water before Christmas without more rain. In fact, the climate changes are making Wales warmer than the rest of Europe, prompting the drought.
To alleviate the situation, the country could invest in new reservoirs and fix leaking water distribution pipes, the report stated.
Welsh Water on Oct. 22 announced it will start work in Llandaff as part of a £10m investment scheme to upgrade the water mains network in Cardiff.
The work is part of a scheme which started in Whitchurch in July and involves renewing and refurbishing a total of 139km of water mains in Llandaff, Heath, Roath, Coryton and the surrounding areas. Due to be completed in 2005, the project is intended to ensure high quality drinking water and improve the reliability of supply.
The phase in Llandaff is designed to improve 11.5km of the existing water mains. Starting on the 10th of November, this section of work will take approximately 34 weeks to complete.
While Welsh Water agreed that South-East Wales was having a prolonged dry spell, the utility said it is beginning to implement actions to move water where it is needed. The utility said it is monitoring the situation carefully but that it did not have any particular concerns about its ability to provide drinking water at this time.
To learn more, visit the Welsh Water web site at http://www.dwrcymru.com/English/homepage.asp.
