The newly appointed minister for water Steve Double called on water companies to “push forward investment” and “redouble efforts” to cut leakage at a National Drought Group (NDG) meeting.
The group, which met this week, said the West Midlands area has now moved into drought while the only areas of the country at “normal water resource status” are Cumbria and Lancashire.
The NDG declared drought across 14 regions earlier this month, with Yorkshire subsequently added.
James Bevan, head of the Environment Agency (EA), who chaired the session, called for “a complete gear change” in how people view and use water and described the summer as “a wake-up call” to prevent future droughts.
Recent rainfall in some parts of the country was insufficient to restore river flows and top up reservoirs after the prolonged dry weather, therefore the NDG said many areas will remain in drought until sustained average or above average rainfall.
Double, who was appointed following mass resignations in July, said: “More work must be done to ensure that we push forward investment to cut leaks and better prepare for prolonged dry weather for this year, next year and the coming decade.
“Water companies need to be putting the needs of their billpayers front and centre of their plans – which means redoubling efforts to cut leakage and protect our natural environment.”
Representatives from water companies at the meeting agreed to step up work to repair leaks, seek to maintain or where necessary increase water availability and ensure there is sufficient water for essential supplies.
The sector will continue following drought plans and will ramp up water efficiency messaging to help customers use less. This so far includes hosepipe bans imposed by Southern, South East, South West, Thames, Welsh and Yorkshire.
Bevan said: “Both for the coming year and, with the impact of climate change, for the coming decade, a complete gear change is needed for how water companies and all water users, from farmers to households, think about how they use water and understand its fundamental value.
“This summer should be a wake-up call for how the nation prepares for weather extremes and how we make the very best use of our water resources. Our National Framework for Water Resources sets out clearly what we are doing in the face of a new normal for water and we are determined to drive that forward.”
Looking ahead, the EA said it would step up its work to manage drought where necessary including increasing the monitoring and checking of river flows and groundwater levels, as well as managing abstraction licences to balance all users’ needs.
The agency said it would carry out patrols and checks ensuring abstractors are complying with licences while supporting those who need access to supplies.
Members of the NDG agreed to start planning now to manage shortfalls that may happen next year if there is a dry autumn and winter. The group’s Water Supply Sub-Group will convene next month to take this forward and report on progress in October with plans being tested by the EA in December.
Plans under the National Framework for Water Resources published in 2020 that plot resilience to 2050 set out joined-up and regional actions that the NDG agreed to “intensify work to meet or beat these targets”.
Meanwhile water efficiency group Waterwise launched a new strategy today (24 August) looking ahead to 2030 with a focus on partnerships to escalate water efficiency messaging.
It sets out the group’s ambition to be a louder voice in the UK’s challenge to lower consumption as the country’s “conscience on water efficiency, on behalf of people and planet”.
Waterwise chief executive Nicci Russell said the organisation was urging government, regulators and water companies to factor water efficiency into all decisions.
“This refreshed Strategic Direction for Waterwise emphasises what we’re good at, and will help us drive even more ambition and change. It frames our role in the UK Water Efficiency Strategy to 2030 which we will be launching on 14 September and delivering with the UK water sector. We all have our part to play, at home and at work. Join us on this mission,” Russell said.
Balancing resilience with affordability as we move into an uncertain future will be a core theme at Utility Week Forum on 8 – 9 November. See the lineup and how to reserve your place here.