Water company bosses update National Drought Group on resilience

Water company chief executives attended a National Drought Group meeting to outline actions taken to safeguard customer supplies after the government ordered daily monitoring of reservoir and river levels. Measures include reducing water released into rivers from reservoirs and lowering overnight pressure where appropriate. Companies are accelerating leak detection and transferring water within their networks to support the lowest reservoirs, following government instructions to prioritise public supplies.

The Environment Agency reported that at least 120% of average rainfall is required over the next six months to end the drought by spring. The National Drought Group, comprising government, regulators, water companies, and environmental bodies, urged continued wise water use to protect supplies and ecosystems. While recent unsettled weather may bring temporary relief, sustained rainfall remains necessary to replenish depleted reservoirs and restore river flows.

The government declared severe drought in parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex, and West Sussex last week, citing record dry conditions from April to September. Enhanced coordination with Local Resilience Forums has begun in affected areas to assess risks and prepare communities. Drought permits have been granted to South West Water and South East Water to reduce reservoir releases into rivers, with temporary pumps deployed in Cornwall to support Stithians reservoir.

The Environment Agency stressed the need for rapid implementation of drought plans, including prompt leak repairs, public communication on water conservation, and early applications for non-essential use restrictions. Applications for temporary bans on non-essential water use by several companies are under consideration by the Environment Secretary, while fish rescue plans are being prepared to protect wildlife if reservoir levels decline further.