shortage

A PICTURESQUE UK island is on the verge of being evacuated as water supply drops to “lowest-ever” levels.

Residents may be forced to leave the area if supplies continue to decrease.

Lundy, located off the north Devon coast, is on the verge of being closed – with all residents evacuated – as a result of a severe water shortage.

The self-sufficient English island relies on a combination of rainwater and groundwater to maintain regular water levels.

However, following the dry conditions of this summer, reservoir levels dropped to their lowest-ever levels, at 13 per cent.

This has led to emergency shipments now being put in place to bring water from the mainland to the island in order to sustain its 28 residents.

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Water restrictions have also been placed on tourists – including the removal of plugs to prevent visitors from taking baths.

Pumping water from ponds used by wildlife to a treatment works is being used as a “last resort”, according to Lundy managing director Derek Green.

He told the BBC: “Bringing in pond water is something we’ve never had to do before.

“If we didn’t do this, we would be facing the reality of closing Lundy…it would be devastating for us.

“We’ve got a working farm here and the animals need water every day… so to evacuate those animals, those people and to cancel all those holidays is something that has never happened in the history of Lundy before.”

Green added that there had been “no significant rainfall” on the island since April, contributing to the severe water shortage.

The area is known for its abundant puffin and seal colonies, as well as whale and dolphin spotting.

The 3.1 mile long isle can be reached from Devon’s mainland in less than two hours by ferry, and remains popular among holidaymakers for its picturesque beaches and adventurous hikes.