Drought Permits and Drought Monitoring
With the UK having recently experienced its driest spring on record, and the drought that affected central and eastern England during 2011 looking likely to extend until summer 2012, water companies will be preparing for submission of drought permits to the Environment Agency. Drought permits and the associated monitoring require a complex blend of specialised services.
ESI, supported by APEM and Hydro-Logic has recently completed Environmental Assessment Reports to support a potential application by Severn Trent Water for Drought Permits on the Derwent and Churnet catchments. This work required a detailed assessment of the potential impacts of the Drought Permits on the local ecology and development, in close consultation with the Environment Agency and Natural England, of appropriate mitigation measures.
Since 2010 ESI and partners have also been carrying out associated monitoring of the stream flows and ecology in these catchments. Our team has recently been commissioned by Severn Trent Water to develop Environmental Assessment Reports for potential Drought Permits on the Leam, Wye and Severn at Trimpley.
