Britain faces drought after dry winter

[phantom power]

LONDON, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Southeast England faces a summer of drought after the driest 15 months in 30 years, but northwest Scotland and Wales have had more rain than usual.

Southeast England will most likely have sprinkling restrictions and car-washing bans in the summer, the Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.

The average British water consumer uses up to 35 gallons a day, but Britain has less water per head than any other European country, say weather officials.

Water use has been rising by more than 1 percent a year because of the growth in power showers, power hoses and dishwashers.

Water supplies will be further stretched by the government's plan to have 190,000 homes built a year for a decade.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science&article=UPI-1-20060204-23584700-bc-britain-drought.xml

[arachide]

1. It has not rained...

in Dublin this year. At all. In 2006. And its February 7th. It rains here EVERY DAY usually. WTF?