Southern Water Seeks Drought Order for Hampshire and Isle of Wight

Southern Water has applied to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for a Drought Order and Non-Essential Use Ban affecting Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The request follows an Environment Agency declaration that more than half of England is currently experiencing drought conditions.

If the ban is implemented, businesses would be prohibited from cleaning premises, operating mechanical vehicle washers, and filling non-domestic pools. A consultation period running from August 4 to August 11 will determine if the company can continue extracting water from the River Test despite diminished flow levels.

Southern Water described the application as part of a set of "precautionary measures" and noted that it has repaired more than 4,000 leaks since January to safeguard the environment and water supplies.