The UK Government has introduced additional measures to protect public water supplies after declaring a severe drought in parts of six English counties, following months of exceptionally dry weather.
The affected areas are Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex. The South East and South West of England have recorded their driest April-to-September periods in more than a century, placing considerable pressure on reservoirs and other water resources.
Although household water supplies are expected to continue without interruption, the declaration is intended to ensure that authorities and water companies act early to reduce the risk of future shortages.
Water Companies Face Tougher Requirements
Under the new measures, water companies operating in affected areas have been instructed to strengthen their drought response plans and monitor water resources more closely.
Ministers want daily checks of reservoir and river levels, alongside more rigorous monitoring of water quality. The Environment Agency will also increase compliance inspections of businesses extracting water from natural sources to ensure they do not take more than their permitted amounts.
Local Resilience Forums have also been activated to help authorities coordinate assistance and respond quickly if the situation deteriorates.
The measures are designed to improve oversight of available water and ensure that organisations responsible for managing supplies take appropriate action as drought conditions persist.
Environment Agency Told to Prioritise Public Water Supplies
Water Minister Emma Hardy has directed the Environment Agency to give priority to protecting public water supplies in areas affected by severe drought where water provision and environmental requirements create unavoidable conflicts.
The approach could allow water companies to retain more water in reservoirs that have been depleted by the prolonged dry spell.
The decision highlights the challenge facing authorities as they seek to maintain reliable water supplies while protecting rivers, wildlife and other parts of the natural environment.
Government Warns of Drought Conditions Not Seen for Decades
Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle said the country was experiencing a level of drought not seen for decades, prompting the Government to strengthen its planning and support for affected areas.
She said officials were working closely with water companies to safeguard public supplies and urged people to use water carefully in the coming weeks.
Eagle also pointed to wider reforms intended to strengthen public oversight of water companies and improve the country’s long-term ability to cope with water shortages. These plans include the construction of nine new major reservoirs to increase storage capacity and help secure future supplies.
National Drought Group Coordinates Response
The latest measures follow a meeting of the National Drought Group, which the Government has convened regularly since August to coordinate the response to unusually dry conditions.
The group brings together representatives from government, the Met Office, regulators, water companies, the National Farmers’ Union, the Canal & River Trust, anglers, hydrologists and conservation organisations.
Its members have again called on the public to use water responsibly to help preserve supplies during the drought.
Environment Agency Chief Executive Philip Duffy said record-breaking summer heat and severe drought had placed substantial pressure on the country’s water resources.
He stressed that recovery would depend on both rainfall and the amount of water consumed. While the weather cannot be controlled, Duffy said water companies must follow their drought plans and take the necessary steps to protect public supplies.
He also encouraged households and businesses to reduce water use, explaining that conserving water would help maintain river levels, support farmers and protect wildlife and natural habitats.
£104 Billion Investment and Nine New Reservoirs Planned
Alongside its immediate response, the Government says it is pursuing longer-term measures to strengthen the UK’s water infrastructure after decades of underinvestment.
The programme includes £104 billion in planned investment to upgrade water infrastructure, the construction of nine new reservoirs across the country and changes to planning rules intended to make reservoir development easier.
These initiatives are intended to increase water storage and improve resilience against future periods of drought.
However, with severe drought already declared in parts of England, the immediate priority remains protecting existing supplies, strengthening monitoring and encouraging more responsible water use while authorities work to manage the impact of prolonged dry weather.
