The Environment Secretary and Environment Minister met with the chief executives
of water companies this morning to discuss the ongoing response
to the prolonged dry weather.
Ministers heard from chief executives about how their companies
are taking necessary steps to safeguard public water supplies and
mitigate the effects of this exceptionally dry period.
Environment Secretary said:
Today I met the chief executives of water companies to discuss
the measures they are taking to protect water supplies in what is
the driest summer in over 50 years.
All water companies have reassured me that water supplies remain
resilient across the country. Each company has a pre-agreed
drought plan which they are following, and I have urged them to
take any precautionary steps needed to protect essential supplies
as we go into a likely very dry autumn.
We are better prepared than ever before for periods of dry
weather with a system that is working well to manage water usage,
protect the environment and maintain water supplies for the
public and critical sectors. We will continue to actively monitor
the situation, working alongside partners including the
Environment Agency.
Whilst all water companies have reassured us that essential
supplies are still safe, it is their duty to maintain those
supplies.
The Environment Secretary has said that in accordance with their
pre-agreed drought plans, water companies across the country have
rightly taken action to mitigate the effects of this prolonged
dry weather using the range of tools available to them.
Each company has a locally tailored drought plan and we urge them
to act responsibly to implement that plan to safeguard public
water supplies. Eight water companies have enacted their
statutory drought plans with others stating they are following
the steps set out in their plans.
While there is an important role for individuals to sustainably
manage their usage, we expect water companies to act
to reduce leakage and fix leaking pipes as quickly as
possible, and take wider action alongside government policy.
