Drought plan consultation feedback form

Please use the form below to assist you in providing feedback, you can complete the sections you feel are relevant to your feedback.

We need to collect your name and email address so we can provide you with a response and update you on when we publish our updated plan. In line with the statutory process, all responses and contact details are also sent to Defra. Any personal data collected will be processed in line with our privacy policy. A link to Defra’s privacy policy is here.

Full name

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Please provide any general feedback

Stochastic data

This is summarised in Section 1.2 and Appendix E. In previous plans we have relied on historic data to assess our resilience under droughts which we have experienced in the past. In this plan we are using stochastic data (stochastic inflows are generated based on "what-if" scenarios for different and random conditions which take account of the unpredictable nature of the weather) which extends this historic data set, including drought events which are more severe than we have experienced historically. This allows us to assess resilience to droughts which would occur once every 500 years.

What are your thoughts on using this data and testing our resilience under this level of severity?

Drought levels

This is summarised in Section 2.3 and Appendix E. We have optimised our drought levels to balance between allowing sufficient time to take action in an escalating situation and not taking action more frequently than may be needed impacting customers and the environment. This has been informed by industry leading optimisation techniques.

Do you think we have the balance right?

Drought management actions

This is summarised in Section 2.4 and Appendices C, D, F, H and L. This sections sets out the range of comprehensive actions we may use in a drought.

Do you agree with the drought actions include?

Agile communications

This is summarised in Section 2.4.2 and Appendices B and C. Our proposed agile communications is a new innovative approach which aims to reduce demand by working closely with customers to reduce demand voluntarily rather than using compulsory temporary use bans (hosepipe bans). This should delay the likelihood, and reduce the chance of, TUBs as the demand saving benefit will already be achieved.

What are your thoughts on this approach?

Green, amber, red communications

This is summarised in Section 2.4.2 and Appendix B. We have proposed adopting a green, amber, red approach to guide our communications messaging at each drought level.

What are your thoughts on this method?

Water use restrictions

This is summarised in Section 2.4.3 and Appendix C. We propose to appeal to customers to voluntarily use less water after crossing the enhanced operational line in drought Level 1. Temporary Use Bans would be implemented in Level 2 if we have not been able to reduce customer demand for water voluntarily. This would be aligned with the 1 in 20 year level of service for a TUB and would cover the period of consultation before restrictions are enforced.

What do you think of this proposal?

Drought permits/orders

This is summarised in Section 2.4.5 and Appendix D. Drought permits/orders to change abstraction licences are needed to protect against the risk of a drought being worse than those experienced previously. A list of potential drought permit/order sites is shown in Table 13 of the Drought Plan document.

Do you have any comments on any particular options?

Overall structure and presentation of the plan

We have written the plan with the aim of it being accessible to the informed stakeholder. The plan is shorter than previous plans, to be handy to refer to in a drought, with the addition of appendices to provide detail when needed. We have also provided a customer summary for ease of understanding.

What do you think of this new format? Do you have any suggestions on how to improve the accessibility?

Environmental Reports

Are there any other comments you wish to make on the drought plan or the associated Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment Environmental Report?

Water Resources West, Water Resources North

This is summarised in Appendix J. We are an active member of the regional group Water Resources West (WRW) and contribute to Water Resources North, ensuring the sustainability of water resources across the regions. Our plan has been influenced by agreements made by WRW regarding regional drought planning and management. We will liaise, and work collaboratively, with WRW during a drought event.

What are your thoughts on this approach?

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