The Environment Secretary agreed last week to grant the EA’s application to Defra for a ‘drought order’ which should help prevent Holme Styes reservoir in Yorkshire from running dry.
The Environment Agency can now ask Yorkshire Water to lower the flow of water leaving the reservoir, as required, to allow the reservoir to support habitats and wildlife in the River Ribble over a longer period. The flow from the reservoir will reduce from 2million litres per day to 1million litres.
The order will have no impact on the public water supply as the Holme Styes Reservoir is a historic mill reservoir and not part of the public water infrastructure.
