The government formally declared parts of England to be in drought on Friday as the country faces a period of prolonged hot and dry weather. The declaration does not trigger government-level intervention, but allows water companies to go further in their steps to manage supplies. Below are some key details. What happens when a drought is declared? - All water companies are required to have a drought plan in place setting out what restrictions they may put in place on their customers in the event of a drought. - Water companies will implement these plans, which will include temporary water use restrictions such as hosepipe bans to reduce the demand for water. - They can also apply for drought orders and permits which legally allow more flexibility in managing water resources including abstracting more water from rivers, reservoirs or aquifers. - Restrictions can be put in place on non-essential water use including commercial car washes and swimming pools. - Customers may be asked to access water from standpipes or mobile water tanks. - Farmers could face restrictions on water usage for spray irrigation. - The Environment Agency can ask the government to put in place restrictions on water use in industrial manufacturing or food processing which is having, or threatening to have, a severe impact on the environment or public water supply. - Natural England, the government's conservation advisory body, may restrict access to some areas such as national nature reserves if there is a risk of fire caused by the dry conditions. Where has a drought been declared? - Devon and Cornwall - Solent and South Downs - Kent and South London - Herts and North London - East Anglia - Thames - Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire - East Midlands
