Welsh environment watchdog's drought guide open for consultation

Natural Resources Wales has released for consultation its proposed drought plan technical guide for water companies.

The guideline sets out what the water companies wholly or mainly in Wales should include in their draft drought plans (2019).

Water companies sited wholly or mainly in England, will need to follow Defra and the Environment Agency’s guideline when developing their drought plans. But where a company’s drought management actions such as permits and orders affect Wales, they will need to use the Natural Resource Wales’ guidelines, the regulator said.

A drought plan sets out how water companies will supply water to their customers when water supply becomes depleted, while minimising any negative impacts of their actions. It should set out the short-term operational steps a company will take before, during and after a drought.

To comment on Natural Resource Wales’ guideline, submit the consultation response form by 30 Sept 2017.

Water companies in England and Wales are required to prepare and maintain drought plans under the Water Industry Act. A drought plan sets out how water companies will supply water to their customers during periods of low rainfall when water supply becomes depleted, while minimising any negative impacts of their actions during a drought. It should set out the short-term operational steps they will take before, during and after a drought.