WATER COMPANY TO CONSULT ON DROUGHT PLAN

In the first formal consultation of its kind, all water companies in England and Wales are circulating their 2006 statutory Drought Plans for public consultation.

South East Water's Drought Plan is being sent directly to key stakeholders and local interest groups for comment.

It is also available on the company's website, as it is hoped both customers and the wider community will also make their views known.

After the consultation period has ended on 28 July 2006, and following any final comments from the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, South East Water will publish its final Drought Plan.

This will set out what the company needs to do, and by when, to ensure both water supplies and the environment are safeguarded during extended periods of dry weather. This could include:

Raising awareness with customers through increased communication

Restricting the use of sprinklers and hosepipes

Activating dormant water sources or developing new ones to increase the amount of water available

Transferring water from nearby areas where it is more plentiful.

Applying for drought permits to allow more water to be temporarily abstracted from the environment

Applying for drought orders to restrict non-essential use of water.

James Grinnell, Water Resources Manager for South East Water, said: "This drought plan forms part of our back-up programme for managing resources through extremely dry periods such as the drought we are currently facing.

"The plan shows how we propose to maintain supplies for essential purposes, such as drinking, washing and cooking, during exceptionally dry periods.

"We hope that our customers and stakeholders will actively participate in the consultation, as everyone who uses water has a vital role to play in determining what steps should be taken - and by when '“ during a drought."

Anyone wishing to comment on the plan should write to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Water Supply & Regulation Division,Room 304, 55 Whitehall, c/o 3 - 8 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HH, or email [email protected].