Spelman convenes drought summit

The environment secretary is to hold crisis talks as the prospect of drought looms ever larger.

Caroline Spelman will meet water companies, environmental NGOs and farming groups on Monday to discuss how to mitigate the impact of persistent dry conditions.

Parts of South and East England have been affected by drought for some months and water firms are warning hosepipe bans may be needed.

Spelman said: “All of our activity is going to be carefully coordinated so that we are able to minimise the effects of unpredictable water availability and support people in doing the right thing in taking sensible measures to save water.

“It is imperative that we have a system in place that can provide a secure water supply for the future, at the same time as we continue to protect the environment”.

Southern Water announced today it has applied to the Environment Agency for a drought permit. If granted, this would allow the company to draw extra supplies from the River Medway to replenish Bewl Water, which currently stands at 41 per cent of capacity.

Thames Water is starting to contact customers asking them to conserve water, while Anglian says it may have to impose usage restrictions as early as spring.

Severn Trent maintains it does not expect to restrict customer usage, despite record low rainfall. However, it has stopped drawing water from the half-empty Draycote Reservoir while it builds a 9-mile pipeline from the River Leam to boost levels.