United Utilities has applied to the Environment Agency for a new drought permit.

The water company has made the application in response to the threat of a serious water shortage in the part of its water supply area served by abstractions at Woodhead, Torside and Rhodeswood from the Longdendale chain of reservoirs caused by an exceptional shortage of rain.

The proposed drought permit, which is intended to apply for 6 months, will allow the company to reduce the compensation flow from 45.5 Ml/d to 22.5 Ml/d from Bottoms Lodge Reservoir (a reservoir in Longdendale) to the River Etherow.

A reduced flow to the River Etherow will result in more water being retained in Bottoms Lodge Reservoir. This will help to conserve the water available for abstraction from the Longdendale Reservoirs and guarantee a minimum compensation flow to the River Etherow. The permit would expedite a return to normal water levels in Bottoms Lodge Reservoir.

In consultation with the Environment Agency and other bodies, including Natural England, United Utilities has carried out comprehensive environmental assessments into the potential impact of the proposed permit.

In August the utility was granted permits allowing it to take additional water from Windermere and Scales boreholes in Cumbria, and Delph and Rivington reservoirs in Lancashire.