Businesses face water use restrictions amid English drought

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 12:33 · Archive

Three water companies are seeking to ban businesses from non-essential water use as drought affects eleven areas of England.

Three water companies – South East, Southern and South West Water – have applied for non-essential use bans on businesses in drought-affected parts of their regions. If approved by the government department Defra, the restrictions could bar golf clubs and private schools from using mains water to irrigate playing fields and courses, and stop commercial car washes from operating. Power hoses in car washes can use up to 25 litres of water per minute.

Eleven areas of England remain in drought status after an exceptionally hot and dry summer. Yorkshire moved into drought status on 9 October. Reservoir levels are at 54 per cent – 21 per cent below expected autumn levels – with nineteen reservoir groups in England and Wales less than 50 per cent full.

The Met Office says above-average rainfall is needed over a sustained seven-month period to bring all areas out of drought. Last month England received about 65 per cent of its typical September rainfall, with eastern and southern areas experiencing the greatest deficit. One outlet reports rainfall was 80 per cent lower than average in some areas in September, and that the Environment Agency says England needs 20 per cent more rainfall than average until the end of April for all drought areas to recover.

Household customers would remain unaffected by the non-essential use bans. Many areas are already subject to hosepipe restrictions on the public for the past three months.

How it is being reported

• Golf clubs and private schools among businesses facing severe water use restrictions in ongoing droughtGolf courses and private schools could be banned from using mains supplies to irrigate lawnsThe Independent · 14 Oct, 12:09
• Businesses could be barred from non-essential water use amid supply threatGolf clubs, private schools and car washes may face tighter rules from water companies as England’s drought continues Three water companies are seeking to impose severe restrictions on businesses as the drought continues across most of England, putting rivers and wildlife under huge pressure. Golf clubs and private schools could be barred from using mains water to irrigate playing fields and courses, and commercial car washes stopped from operating, under “non-essential use bans” being sought by the companies. Continue reading...The Guardian · 14 Oct, 07:00

In this story: England · South East Water · Southern Water · South West Water · Defra · Yorkshire · Wales · Met Office

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