TITTESWORTH RESERVOIR – WITHDRAWAL OF DROUGHT PERMIT APPLICATION

• Recent rainfall has helped to improve water levels at Tittesworth Reservoir by 35% • The reservoir is now at normal levels for the time of year, and likely to increase over winter

• We are withdrawing our application for a Drought Permit on the River Churnet at the reservoir

WHAT’S HAPPENED?

In October we applied to the Environment Agency for a Drought Permit (DP) on the River Churnet at Tittesworth Reservoir. This would have allowed us to reduce the amount of water we release into local rivers. We did this because rainfall between April and September had been well below average and the reservoir was extremely low.

THE CURRENT SITUATION

Over the last three weeks we’ve seen more rainfall than normal. At the same time, our customers have helped by reducing their water use. As a result of this, together with work by our teams, water levels in Tittesworth have recovered by 35%. We think levels will continue to improve over the winter.

We no longer need to reduce the amount of water we release every day into the River Churnet. We are withdrawing our application for a DP at Tittesworth.

THANK YOU

This is great news. To all our customers: thank you. By thinking about your water use over the last few months, you’ve helped to restore supply levels. For more water saving tips go here: stwater.co.uk/helpsavewater

OTHER RESERVOIRS

Each reservoir is unique. Our Derwent Reservoir currently has a DP in place, and while this has seen an increase in rainfall, it’s not yet at the level where we could withdraw its DP.

THE FUTURE

We don’t think we’ll need a DP at Tittesworth this winter or spring.

We are putting forward plans to improve local water resources in the long term. At the moment, we can’t rule out the need for future permits next summer or winter. However, we’ll always do what we can to make sure everyone has enough water.