Yorkshire secures drought permits

The Environment Agency has given Yorkshire Water permission to reduce the amount of water released from 12 reservoirs.

Reservoir levels in Yorkshire are currently 25% lower than a year ago with forecasts showing the potential for further rainfall shortages.

As such the regulator has granted drought permits for a group of reservoirs across Wharfedale, Bingley, Shipley, Craven, Yeadon, Baildon and the Worth Valley until next April.

The company’s licence requires it to release a certain amount of water from the reservoirs to maintain the health of the river. The permits allow it to reduce the amount released, to conserve water in the reservoirs and secure water supplies.

The permit applications were last month referred to a Planning Inspectorate public hearing after an objection from a member of the public.

Victoria Slingsby, the Environment Agency’s Yorkshire drought manager, said: “Despite recent rainfall in Yorkshire, this has not been enough to refill rivers and reservoirs and we are still facing a serious deficiency of water supplies.

“We only issue a permit if we are content that there are clear plans in place to mitigate any impact on the environment, along with strong evidence from Yorkshire Water of their ongoing commitment to reduce leaks and improve water efficiency.

“We will continue to work closely with Yorkshire Water as it develops the long-term solutions to protect water resources while drought conditions continue across Yorkshire.”

Yorkshire officially moved to drought status in August, shortly after a hosepipe ban was announced.

Earlier this month the National Drought Group forecast that average rainfall levels over winter will still not be sufficient to avoid impending drought or drought conditions into next year. Some water companies suggested conditions will remain beyond spring in some areas, including Yorkshire, if rainfall remains below average.

The 12 reservoirs are:

• Carr Bottom Reservoir (Wharfedale)
• Doe Park Reservoir (Bingley)
• Eldwick Reservoir (Shipley)
• Embsay Reservoir (Craven)
• Grimwith Reservoir (Craven)
• Hewenden Reservoir (Bingley)
• Leeming Reservoir (Worth Valley)
• Leeshaw Reservoir (Worth Valley)
• Reva Reservoir (Yeadon)
• Silsden Reservoir (Craven)
• Weecher Reservoir (Baildon)
• Springhead Weir (Worth Valley)