South West Water seeks business water restrictions amid drought

South West Water has applied to Defra for a drought order to restrict non-essential water use by businesses in parts of Devon and West Dorset. If approved, the measures would affect areas including Exeter, Exmouth, Crediton, Sidmouth, Tiverton, Honiton, and Lyme Regis. Proposed restrictions include commercial plant watering, vehicle washing, cleaning industrial plant, and maintaining non-domestic swimming pools. While household customers would not be subject to these specific business restrictions, an existing hosepipe ban remains in effect.

Separately, the Environment Agency has issued a drought permit to South West Water regarding the Wimbleball Reservoir in Exmoor, Somerset, which serves approximately 390,000 people. The reservoir's storage capacity was reported at just 18% as of October 4, down from 30% the previous year. The permit allows the company to temporarily pause normal compensation flow to the River Haddeo, provided it releases an equivalent volume downstream to support abstraction from the River Exe. The Environment Agency noted that the permit alone is insufficient and that the company must continue to follow its statutory drought plan.