Southern Water has issued a statement clarifying its recent application for a Drought Order at the River Test following what it describes as “misleading media coverage”.

The Environment Agency has today launched a new consultation on proposed changes to the guideline that water companies in England must follow when they prepare and publish their drought plans by 2027.

Affinity Water has published its new Drought Management Plan 2023 following approval by the Department for Food Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra ) - the plan will replace the water company’s previous Drought Plan first published in 2018.

The National Drought Group is meeting this morning as the Environment Agency is warning that parts of England could enter “drought” status due to the prolonged dry weather and record temperatures.

South East Water has published the final version of the company’s Drought Plan which outlines the actions the water company will take before, during and after periods of drought to supply its customers with water.

The six member water companies of regional water group Water Resources South East have each published their updated drought plans for consultation.

Sister companies South Staffs Water and Cambridge Water have launched two separate consultations on their new five year drought plans.

Southern Water has announced that a drought permit is no longer needed for the River Test in Southampton following significant rainfall over recent weeks.

The Environment Agency has launched a new consultation on drought plan guidance for water companies.

The Environment Agency is stepping up its response to tackle the mounting impacts of continued dry weather and coordinate action to maintain water supplies and manage the other risks associated with drought.