England's first drought order in a decade was imposed in the South East today as fears continued about a water crisis in parts of the UK.
Sutton and East Surrey Water was granted the order by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, giving the company the power to limit or ban non-essential uses of water.
Mr Pearson granted the order after hearing from an independent inspector that there had been an exceptional shortage of rain, and that without the ban there would be a real threat to domestic water supplies in Sutton and East Surrey.
"I agree with the inspector that in order to help maintain essential supplies to the community, the drought order should be granted," said Ian Pearson, the Environment Minister.
"The Government takes very seriously the well-being of the public, and the need to minimise the risk of more severe restrictions if the drought continues."
Sutton and East Surrey says that rainfall is only 70 per cent of the normal average for the time of year. "We are not running out of water. But the resource situation is becoming serious and must be safe-guarded," said Richard Rap, the supply manager.
The Environment Agency welcomed news of the drought order for Sutton and East Surrey Water.
"The drought order is justified because this is an unusual drought - 18 months of exceptionally dry weather means that we may face the worst drought of the last 100 years," said Dr David King, the Agency's Director of Water Management.
Earlier today the Agency issued its own report on the prospects of a UK drought, warning that there was a real risk of standpipes being introduced in parts of the region later this year.
The Agency's Drought Prospects Report - Spring Update urged more action by water companies and the public to save water, and singled out Thames Water, which serves millions of consumers in the London area, calling on it to take firmer action.
"With a hot, dry summer, south-east England may face the most severe drought of the last hundred years," said the agency.
It added that most water companies had made progress, but called on Thames Water to do more, warning that consumers might be forced to get water from standpipes later this year if the company did not apply for a drought order immediately.
The Agency also urged Essex and Suffolk Water to introduce a hosepipe ban by the end of May to reduce the risk of supply problems later in the year. Without restrictions in place, reservoir levels could drop very quickly, it said.
At present 13 million people in seven water company areas are affected by hosepipe bans, the lowest level of anti-drought restriction. In addition, Sutton and East Surrey Water is one of three companies to have asked for more draconian powers, which can include banning car-washing, filling of swimming pools, and watering major sports pitches.
Southern Water and Mid Kent Water are still waiting to hear whether they have been granted drought orders.
The Agency warned that as well as the effect on consumers, the drought would cause escalating environmental problems. "We expect to see low river flows and exceptionally low groundwater levels across south-east England this year," it said.
"We expect to see water companies applying for drought permits and drought orders to take more water from rivers and groundwater, placing additional pressure on the environment. Water companies must take all possible steps to reduce demand before seeking further water from the environment."
The drought order in Sutton and East Surrey was recommended by an independent inspector after a hearing where objections and representations were heard. His report said that due to the worsening drought it was important that Sutton and East Surrey Water had the authority to ban non-essential uses.
Mr Pearson said he backed the inspector and in order to help maintain essential suppliers to the community, the drought order should be granted - although he asked the company to use it sparingly.
"Whilst it is a matter for the company to implement the ban as it considers necessary, I expect to see responsible behaviour in the way this drought order is used. In deciding which uses to ban, the company should take a proportionate approach, considering seriously the amount of water that is likely to be saved against the hardship likely to result."
The Minister said that everyone had to play their part to tackle the crisis. "The drought in the south east remains serious. There have been misleading and unhelpful reports suggesting that recent rainfall has somehow solved the problem. It hasn’t.
"Reservoir levels may have risen, but river flows and groundwater levels are worryingly low and we are now at the end of the vital re-charge period which should have replenished them."
The Minister said that ground water provided 70 per cent of supply in the south east as a whole and in Sutton and East Surrey’s case it was 85 per cent. It was vital to act before the situation becomes extreme, he said.
"We cannot afford to be complacent. I urge people to respond positively to the message this ban sends out that we all have a responsibility to use water sensibly when resources are under stress, as they are at the present time in this area."
John Lawson, chairman of the Institution of Civil Engineers’ Water Board, said: "It is unfortunate, but the measures in drought orders to limit water use are an appropriate and necessary response to the drought in the South East caused by two dry winters. Without such restrictions, we run the risk of much more severe measures later.
"However, this is a short-term measure which needs to be matched with long-term thinking. Since water privatisation in 1989, there has been little investment in new water supplies. This has to change.
"Water is currently valued too cheaply and the only way that new infrastructure can be afforded is to ask consumers to pay the true price for water."
Drought orders: what can be banned?
Among the activities that can be barred under non-essential use orders are watering of parks, gardens, golf courses, cricket pitches and other sporting venues.
Watering allotments and replenishing ornamental ponds (ponds with fish are exempt), private swimming pools, splash pools and spas can be barred — pools used for medical treatment purposes and filling of pools during construction are exempt. Mechanical and automatic car washes can be barred but those with recycling facilities will be exempt.
Cleaning of trains, aircraft and boats except for reasons of hygiene and safety can be barred, as can cleaning the outside of buildings, office blocks, and factories and cleaning windows by hosepipe or sprinkler. Ornamental fountains and other water features can be barred even if the water is recycled.
Emergency powers are being drawn up to ensure that new equipment such as pressure hoses and adult splash pools - not widely in use when the Water Act 1991 was drawn up 15 years ago - are included in drought orders.
