Yorkshire Water applies to bolster supplies from rivers
Yorkshire has endured its driest and warmest spring in 132 years, resulting in a hosepipe ban being introduced across the region earlier this month.If approved the order on the Ouse would allow the firm to draw an additional 60,000 cubic metres per day at Moor Monkton when the river Ouse flows at Skelton are below 1,000,000 cubic metres per day.For the Wharfe the order would enable Yorkshire Water to abstract from the river the full volume of water released into the Wharfe from the Grimwith reservoir when conditions allow.Mr Kaye said: "It's not a decision we've made lightly, but it is the next essential step to protect water supplies for our customers and to protect the environment after an extremely dry year so far and the declaration of drought in our region."Commenting on the application to limit flow from 12 reservoirs, he added: "Under the drought permits these reservoirs will still provide compensation flows to downstream watercourses to protect the environment, but the flows will be reduced to keep water back for supply to customers."If approved, the drought permits will be in place for up to six months.
Yorkshire Water boss Nicola Shaw said the current hosepipe ban, which prevents people using hosepipes for activities such as watering the garden, washing the car or filling a paddling pool, was likely to stay in place until winter.On Monday the firm said while recent rain across the region was "very welcome" it was "not going to improve things to a level where reservoir stocks recover".When the hosepipe ban was announced the firm said reservoir levels stood at just over 50% - a record low for the time of the year and "significantly below" the average for early July, which is nearer 80%.
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