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.

Image: Grimwith Reservoir - Yorkshire Water's largest in terms of water storage

Members of the NDG, which include the Environment Agency, Defra, Natural England, the National Farmers' Union and the water companies, will discuss how to protect water resources – the Group is convened when circumstances demand.

The Cabinet Office identifies drought as a civil emergency within the National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies – however, droughts are not defined as emergencies unless there is a serious threat of restrictions to public water supply using standpipes or rota cuts.

The Environment Agency has plans in place for each of its 14 operational areas that operational response teams use to plan for a drought incident within their area.

All of the water companies in England and Wales are required by the Government to produce a Drought Plan setting out the actions they would take to maintain essential supplies of water whilst also protecting the environment.

Water companies can implement temporary water use restrictions under their own powers in the Water Industry Act 1991. Under the Water Resources Act 1991 drought orders and drought permits can be used to allow more flexibility in managing water resources.

Action taken in recent weeks by the water companies include a reduction in abstraction from the River Nene by Anglian Water to allow downstream irrigators to take water, Southern Water has applied for a drought permit to protect the River Test in Hampshire and the Environment Agency has applied for a Drought Order in Yorkshire to protect the Holme Styes reservoir from running dry.

Photos taken last week show Grimworth Reservoir, the largest reservoir owned by Yorkshire Water in terms of water storage, has become seriously depleted.