Drought plans

There is increasing pressure on water resources so it's important that we know how to protect public water supplies and the environment.

Drought plans are essential for managing water resources. They help water companies and the Environment Agency make the right decisions at the right time.  

Water companies and the Environment Agency produce drought plans.  

What's in our drought plans?

• An outline of how we will manage water resources during a drought and definitions of our role and responsibilities.
• Ways to reconcile the competing interests of the environment, public water supply and other abstractions.
• They show what additional environmental monitoring we will carry out.
• They provide a framework for liaison with water companies, awareness campaigns and determination of drought permits.
• Details of national activities where we co-ordinate drought management in England and Wales, and local activities where we outline specific operations.  

We consulted on our draft drought plans in autumn 2011. We have taken the comments received from respondents and improved our plans where appropriate. To see our response document, please visit our consultation website.

We have revised our drought plans as a result of the consultation and lessons learned.