Fresh drought measures to protect drinking water

South East Water is to reduce the daily volume of water released into the River Ouse from the Ardingly Reservoir, which is just 17.1% full, to protect drinking supplies.

The Environment Agency (EA) declared a "severe drought" in the parts of Sussex the reservoir serves after the South East experienced its driest April to September in over a century.

In order to protect drinking water in the reservoir, South East Water will reduce daily releases after the EA approved an extension of its current drought permit powers.

John Halsall, South East Water CEO, said: "Under this new agreement, we will reduce the rate of release in a managed, phased manner day-by-day."

According to Halsall, this approach allows the River Ouse to be monitored "to minimise any environmental impacts", while also "maintaining an agreed minimum flow downstream of our Barcombe Water Treatment Works abstraction point".

With a record-breaking dry summer, South East Water has been looking for some time at ways to make the water in Ardingly reservoir last.

At the end of September, the Environment Agency granted the water company a drought permit in Sussex allowing South East Water to hold back more water in the reservoir, reducing the flow into the river.

Earlier this month it was revealed that Ardingly Reservoir had fallen below 20% capacity after one of the hottest summers on record.

But with water levels at Ardingly dropping to just 17% this week, South East Water has been looking at more dramatic options - including whether Southern Water's Weir Wood reservoir, less than six miles away and 80% full, could help with supply issues.

This latest drought measure gives the water company the power to hold even more water back.

However, there will be concern from environmentalists about what that means for river life.

Richard O'Callaghan, environment planning manager of the EA, said the agency was responding to a level of drought not "experienced for decades".

"We are stepping up our oversight and planning to protect public supplies in affected areas," he said.

O'Callaghan said the water company must take "immediate action" should there be any impact on the environment.

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