We have a duty to supply customers with an adequate quantity and quality of water for domestic purposes, and this extends to times of drought when water resources may be under additional stress.
Our drought plan sets out how we will manage our resources during a drought, and includes options to increase supplies and reduce demands. These actions are triggered through a drought as it progresses. Our plan also sets out how we will minimise the impact on the environment caused by our actions, and how we will talk to our customers and our regulators during a drought. We review our plans regularly and update our drought plan at least every five years.
The current drought plan was published in 2022 following a period of consultation and advice from the Environment Agency.
If there is a particularly dry spell, that lasts for many months or even years, drought legislation can allow water companies to ask you to reduce your water usage by not using water for some activities.We will only consider restrictions on some water using activities when absolutely required, and encourage customers to use water wisely at all times, particularly when it has been dry as this will help reduce the chances of the need for a temporary use ban.
The less water we need to abstract to meet demands, the more water is left for the environment, at all times of the year.
Read our drought plan
Some ways that you can reduce your consumption
Find out what we're doing to reduce water wasted through leaks