Southern Water has applied for emergency drought powers that could pave the way for tougher water restrictions across the Isle of Wight, with the water company warning it has reached the trigger requiring it to seek a Drought Order and Non-Essential Use Ban.
The application has been submitted to the Secretary of State under the Water Resources Act 1991 following the declaration of drought across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
While a hosepipe ban is already in force for households, the proposed Drought Order would give Southern Water additional legal powers to prohibit or restrict a range of non-essential water uses, if approved.
The application currently centres on restricting the use of hosepipes to water outdoor plants on commercial premises. However, the notice also sets out a wider suite of restrictions available under drought legislation should conditions deteriorate further.
These include powers to prohibit or limit:
- Filling or maintaining non-domestic ponds.
- Operating mechanical vehicle washers.
- Cleaning vehicles using a hosepipe.
- Cleaning industrial plant.
- Cleaning non-domestic buildings using a hosepipe.
- Suppressing dust with water.
- Operating ornamental fountains.
- Using hosepipes for certain construction activities.
A Southern Water spokesperson has said:
“Due to the ongoing dry weather, and following the declaration of drought in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, we have reached the trigger level requiring us to apply to Defra for a Drought Order and Non-Essential Use Ban in these areas.
“These are precautionary measures and making an application does not mean they will be introduced.
Article continues below this advertisement “However, we must follow the regulatory process to protect water supplies and the environment if dry conditions persist.
“Protecting the River Test remains a priority, and any future drought measures would be subject to strict environmental monitoring and controls.”
The application will now be considered by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
I used to live in Southern California, it doesn’t rain there too much but they know a damn site more about managing droughts than Southern Water do. They don’t ever, well not whilst I lived there, ever have hosepipe bans or restrictions!
Yet here we are on the Island after months of winter rain, floods everywhere, with draconian bans and restrictions.
Strikes me that Southern waters management of water is incompetent and their bills extortionately high for what is a very second rate “service?”
Unfortunately there are no mountains with dams on the IOW.
Looking bleak for Las Vegas.