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DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN
In June 1999 the Environment Agency produced a 'Drought Contingency Planning Guideline' and the Government has confirmed that Drought Contingency Plans will be a statutory requirement. This document forms the basis of the Company's Drought Contingency Plan. The Company's initial Drought Contingency Plan was produced in 2000. This update has been produced following an Environment Agency Review of Water Company Drought Plans in 2003. This Plan considers the actions necessary to ensure a supply/demand balance in a 'Drought Year'. A 'Drought Year' is considered to be a dry summer following a dry winter when no recharge of the groundwater aquifer, upon which the Company is reliant for its sources, occurs. In a 'Dry Year' the Company's Resources Plans demonstrate adequate supply capability to meet forecast demands and hence no contingency measures are anticipated. Although groundwater level has traditionally been used by Portsmouth Water to monitor the water supply situation, it is considered that Spring Yield combined with pumped Drought Deployable Output was more representative of the Company's ability to match supply with demand. The Plan considers Demand Side Drought Management Options and limited Supply Side Options which would be pursued on a 'twin track' basis. A control curve and trigger points have been proposed using the Havant and Bedhampton Spring yield and the Average Drought Output (ADO). This will be compared to Total Distribution Input by an internal Drought Management Group to determine any Drought Actions which are considered necessary. Specific demand related trigger levels will vary with the particular circumstances and will be reviewed by the Management Group. The Group consists of several Directors and Senior Managers and will be responsible for regular communications inside and outside of the Company.
The sequence of Demand Management Actions would be: • Extra Promotion of Water Efficiency • Appeals for Restraint • Enhanced Leakage Control • Pressure Reduction • Hosepipe Ban • Sprinkler Ban • Non-Essential Use Restrictions
Possible alternative Supply Side Options (twin track approach): • Recommissioning Abandoned Boreholes and Sources • Application for Drought Permits • Increasing Drought Yields (Existing Sources)
By definition droughts are extreme events and they will have an effect on the environment. Priorities, including the supply of water for public health, must be established and possible monitoring and mitigation discussed.
The key messages during a drought will be: • Water efficiency including leakage control by Portsmouth Water • The need for any water use bans and the benefits to customers and the environment of compliance • The severity of the event if Drought Orders are required.
Portsmouth Water's Emergency Plan would form part of the procedures for a severe drought and the Environment Agency would be consulted at all stages.
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