Experts from the Department for Food Environment and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency have asked the water companies to confirm that they are doing “everything possible to act early” to plan for possible pressure on water supplies next year.

The issue was raised at the latest meeting of the National Drought Group (NDG) chaired by Environment Agency Chief Executive Sir James Bevan, which took place yesterday.

The NDG brings together government departments, water companies, environmental groups and others to coordinate action to maintain water supplies, consider water users and protect the environment. The Group was meeting to assess the water resource situation and actions being taken to reduce risk in 2019 after the exceptionally hot and dry summer.

There has been below average rainfall in England for the past six consecutive months (May to October) and while river flows have increased following recent rain, some groundwater and reservoir levels are in decline.

Across Yorkshire, central, southern and eastern England, water resources are at lower levels than normal after a very hot summer and months of low rainfall. A significant number of public and on-farm storage reservoirs are at low levels for the time of year. Yorkshire Water has requested a drought permit relating to flow from a reservoir to the River Wharfe.

A statement issued by the Chairman after the meeting said that other water companies should also be considering whether they need to apply for drought permits to replenish some very low reservoirs over the winter months to bolster supplies for next year.

At the meeting Defra and EA water experts asked water companies to confirm that they were doing everything possible to act early to plan for possible pressure on supplies next year.

Water companies confirmed that they have taken and will continue to take a range of actions to maintain water supplies for customers, including:

• Focusing on leakage management, optimising sources and reducing levels of outage, to help sources return to a healthier position should there be hot dry weather next year
• Running a winter preparedness campaign to ensure customers have information on how to protect pipes during the cold weather, helping to reduce leaks and keep demand low
• Following drought plans to take timely actions and not delaying implementing winter refill drought permits to help replenish supplies for next summer.

Action the Environment Agency is taking includes:

• Closely monitoring the environment to assess the environmental conditions of water courses that are affected by sustained low flows.
• Working with environmental NGOs and site managers to optimise management of wetland sites
• Working proactively with farmers and other abstractors to manage impacts and ensure they have the water they need and the environment is protected
• Reviewing guidance for water company drought plans and incorporating lessons learnt over this summer

The NDG confirmed that while there is no immediate threat to essential water supplies a drier than average winter would bring the risk of restrictions to some water company customers. It would also prove another challenging summer for farmers next year and cause further environmental impacts across the country.

The NDG will meet again in early 2019 to take stock and agree any further necessary measures.