Dry weather prompts drought actions in Hampshire, Yorkshire and the East

Water companies have managed to meet demand through the heatwave so far, but the effects of prolonged dry weather are starting to necessitate action across the country:

• Southern Water is in the process of applying for a drought permit to enable it to continue to draw supplies from iconic chalk stream the River Test, against the backdrop of falling flows;

• In Yorkshire, the Environment Agency has applied for a drought order to prevent the Holme Styes reservoir in Holmfirth from running dry so Yorkshire Water to slow the flow of water leaving the reservoir and manage habitats and river flows to protect wildlife with no impact on public water supply – the reservoir is a historic mill reservoir and not part of the public water infrastructure; and

• in Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, the Environment Agency has warned abstractors in badly affected dry areas they are likely to receive notice to restrict the amount of water described in their licence conditions. This may include taking reduced quantities or only abstracting at particular times, depending on local circumstances.