Affinity Water has published its new Drought Management Plan 2023 following approval by the Department for Food Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra ) - the plan will replace the water company’s previous Drought Plan first published in 2018.
Affinity Water said the process of developing the new Plan has included:
- Incorporating lessons learned from recent drought experience, stakeholder feedback and requirements in the latest Environment Agency Guidance
- Reviewing and updating drought management triggers and actions, ensuring that the company’s approach complies with relevant guidance and legislation
- Linking drought triggers to environmental impacts of drought, where previously they focused predominantly on water supply impacts of drought
- Creating a new Environmental Stress trigger to address actions which can help to alleviate pressure on the environment early on in a drought event
- Reviewing and updating its list of drought permit sites (Affinity now has nine drought permits altogether, compared to 15 in the previous plan)
- A much greater level of engagement and collaboration with other companies in the region (such as through Water Resources South East) to share best practice and improve alignment between drought plans.
- Carrying out a pre-consultation with regulators and key stakeholders in July 2020, along with a full public consultation in June and July 2021.
- Working closely with the Environment Agency and engaging with the relevant area offices throughout the development of the Plan.
- The water company said it will now follow the new Plan as it experiences a drought event in its area.
Click here to download Affinity Water’s Drought Management Plan 2023 in full