Written question asked by Brian Jenkins (Labour) on Monday, 1 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 December 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Thursday, 4 December 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans are in place for the provision of water supplies to homes and businesses if low rainfall continues.

Answer: Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans are in place for the provision of water supplies to homes and businesses if low rainfall continues. [141852] Mr. Morley: Each water company has a drought plan which sets out the actions necessary to maintain public water supplies during a drought. Dependent upon the severity of the drought and the effectiveness of the company's earlier actions, a company can apply for drought permits or drought orders to, respectively, the Environment Agency and the Secretary of State if further measures are required. In addition, water companies are required, under a Direction issued in 1998 by the Secretary of State, to have in place plans to ensure the provision of essential water supply at all times. These plans are regularly reviewed and are independently audited every year.

Secondary information