Drought measures update

Yorkshire

A series of drought measures has been granted in Yorkshire. Defra has approved a drought order, which will allow Yorkshire Water to increase the amount of water it extracts from the River Ouse. The Environment Agency has also issued drought permits that will allow Yorkshire Water to conserve water in 12 reservoirs and secure public drinking water supplies. The permits apply to the water company’s North West group of reservoirs across Wharfedale, Bingley, Shipley, Craven, Yeadon, Baildon and the Worth Valley. Reservoir levels across Yorkshire are around 25% lower than they were at this time last year. Severn Trent Water

The company has been issued with a drought permit that will allow it to release less water than normal from its Upper Derwent Valley reservoirs into the River Derwent over the next few months. The company said in the winter months, “the river levels are naturally at their highest so any impact on rivers will be minimal”. Wales

Welsh Water has lifted the Temporary Use Ban imposed in August on its customers in Pembrokeshre and Carmarthenshire.