Thames Water rejects drought order

Thames Water, one of the country's biggest water suppliers, has rejected calls to apply for a drought order.

The firm has already imposed a hosepipe ban but said that although the situation remains serious, they believed that no further restrictions were needed yet.

Thames Water said that it would continue to review the situation weekly, but said that local river flows were being maintained, reservoir storage is increasing and demand is falling.

Jeremy Pelczer, Chief Executive of Thames Water, said: "Our current projections indicate that the situation remains serious, but does not yet justify an application for a drought order.

"In making a decision, we need to consider long-term questions, such as how long the drought might last and the possibility of a third consecutive dry winter. We also need to take into account more immediate issues like rainfall levels, the ability to recharge reservoirs and ongoing efforts to reduce demand.

"The situation remains finely balanced and we will continue to review it weekly. There remains a distinct possibility that we will need to apply for a drought order in the coming weeks."

Sutton and East Surrey Water has already been granted a drought order - the first to be issued in England for eleven years.

The order, which is valid for six months, allows the firm to ban non-essential uses of water, such as the use of hosepipes and sprinklers, the filling or privately owned swimming pools and the washing of cars and other vehicles. It will come into effect from May 27.

Southern and Mid Kent Water are currently awaiting decisions on drought orders.

The Environment Agency has warned that the south east of England was facing potentially the worst drought in a hundred years.

(KMcA/CD)