Today, the Environment Agency has announced that the East Midlands has been moved to drought status because the prolonged dry weather has led to exceptionally low river flows and reservoir levels falling across much of England. The drought status has been confirmed in eight of the Environment Agency’s 14 areas.
Heather Wheeler MP says: “The Environment Agency assures me that they are working with the local water companies to manage water resources throughout the East Midlands, as well as working with local farmers and fisheries to make sure they get the water they need whilst protecting the environment. Announcing a drought status means that everyone will be working together to manage the impacts and it does not automatically mean temporary use bans but allows them to be put in place if necessary. I am also assured that essential water supplies are safe as water companies have a duty to ensure supplies are resilient even if we continue to a dry autumn. There is of course an important role for everyone, businesses and individuals, to manage our water-use as sustainably we can.”
