Call for tougher drought measures

Hosepipes are banned but stricter measures have been called for

Drought and housing is to be discussed by the Environment Agency in Ashford, Kent, where major building is planned.

The agency has called for stricter water measures in the South East, which it said was drier than parts of Africa, to accommodate housing growth.

It also highlighted the need to balance public and environmental demand.

The Agency's latest drought update said fish were dying in Berkshire. It also said Southern Water was expected to ask for a second permit to use river water.

'Fish dying'

Near-average rainfall in April improved water supplies in the South East which is starting the summer after two dry winters, but groundwater and river levels remained low, officers said.

The agency also said there was now little chance of improvement until the autumn.

It warned that southern, central and eastern England were likely to see widespread environment problems this summer.

This week, hundreds of fish died in a stream near Reading after low water flow led to an obstruction and the fish were unable to escape rising temperatures and falling oxygen levels.

All of us need to do what we can Barbara Young, chief executive

Thirteen million people in the South East have now been banned from using hosepipes in order to protect the public water supply.

This week, Sutton and East Surrey Water was granted a six-month drought order to ban car washing, the filling of swimming pools and watering of parks and sports grounds.

Southern and Mid Kent water companies are awaiting decisions on similar applications.

The Environment Agency said a drought permit that allowed Southern Water to take supplies from the River Medway had now expired, but the water firm was looking to apply for a further permit to fill the reservoir during the summer.

Before the board meeting, Barbara Young, chief executive of the Environment Agency, said: "It is important for us to try to balance public demand with the needs of the environment.

"All of us need to do what we can to conserve water so we do not take more than is absolutely necessary from the environment."

The agency said the board meeting on Wednesday was open to the public and people were invited to meet and put questions to board members.