Water Companies Seek to Ban Businesses from Non‑Essential Water Use Amid England’s Drought
Three water companies (South East, South West, Southern) are requesting Defra approval to impose non‑essential use bans on businesses such as golf clubs, private schools and commercial car washes in drought‑hit areas.
In Brief
- •Three water companies (South East, South West, Southern) are requesting Defra approval to impose non‑essential use bans on businesses such as golf clubs, private schools and commercial car washes in drought‑hit areas.
- •Eleven English regions remain in drought, with reservoir levels 21–54% below expected and 19 reservoirs under 50% capacity.
- •The drought has forced river flows to record lows, threatening fish habitats in rivers Derwent, Yare, Ely Ouse, Tone and Hampshire Avon.
- •Southern Water is applying for a drought order to draw water from the River Test, a rare salmon habitat, to meet supply needs.
- •The Ardingly reservoir near Haywards Heath holds only 1.05 bn litres of water, far below its 5.2 bn litre capacity.
Why It Matters
England’s ongoing drought has pushed water supplies to critical lows, forcing authorities to consider unprecedented restrictions on business water use. If approved, the bans would curb irrigation and commercial washing, potentially impacting local economies and the hospitality sector while aiming to preserve river ecosystems and public water supplies. The move underscores the tension between commercial demand and environmental sustainability, highlighting the need for coordinated water‑management policies amid climate‑driven water scarcity.
Key Details
- Drought‑hit areas
- 11
- Reservoir deficit
- 21–54% below expected
- Reservoirs under 50% capacity
- 19
- Southern Water permit
- River Test drought order application
- Ardingly reservoir capacity
- 1.05 bn litres of 5.2 bn litres
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