Private water supplies forgotten in drought discussions - CLA

The CLA today said up to one million water users have not been accounted for in government plans for dealing with drought.

The Association welcomed the Environment Agency’s drought prospect report for spring and summer 2012 but warned that up to one million homes and businesses in rural areas reliant on private water supplies have been forgotten about under current drought discussions.

CLA President Harry Cotterell said: "There are around 40,000 private water supplies serving one million rural homes and businesses including fisheries and drinking water for livestock. But government has not accounted for these when making contingency plans for the drought.

"Some private users are able to switch over to a public water supply when bore holes and springs dry up. This will lead to an unexpected increase in demand in certain areas but the impact on the water infrastructure network has been overlooked."

He added: "The Environment Agency, water companies, local authorities and the Drinking Water Inspectorate must work more closely together to ensure these private users have adequate access to water for domestic and commercial use. Otherwise they could be left without any supply during the drought."