York MP calls for water company nationalisation after drought

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 18:14 · Archive

Yorkshire has been placed into drought due to low reservoir and river levels, prompting a Labour MP to call for water company nationalisation.

Yorkshire was declared in drought on 9 October due to low levels in reservoirs and rivers. Luke Charters, the Labour MP for York Outer, said the drought declaration was 'yet another stark reminder of the failures that have plagued Yorkshire's water system for years' and called for water companies to be nationalised.

Charters said the 'current model is failing consumers, failing our environment and failing to deliver the resilient infrastructure Yorkshire needs'. He argued that 'Yorkshire's water should be in the hands of Yorkshire people' and praised the prime minister's decision to remove barriers to public ownership of water.

Yorkshire Water said it will not introduce water restrictions for customers because of extensive work to manage supplies, reduce leakage and move water around the region's network. Andy Shaw, the company's head of water production, treatment and energy, attributed the drought to an 'exceptionally hot and dry summer', noting that Yorkshire received just over half the normal long-term average rainfall in September. He said water demand remains 'usually high for this time of year' and urged customers to use water wisely.

How it is being reported

• York MP calls for public control of water after drought announcementLuke Charters MP has called for water companies to be nationalised after Yorkshire was placed into drought due to low levels in reservoirs and rivers.The Press (York) · 9 Oct, 17:11
• York MP calls for public control of water after drought announcementLuke Charters MP has called for water companies to be nationalised after Yorkshire was placed into drought due to low levels in reservoirs and rivers.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 9 Oct, 17:11

In this story: Luke Charters · Yorkshire Water · Yorkshire · Environment Agency · Andy Shaw

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