News

Dear Sir/Madam

Notice of Application for a Drought Order

Site name: River Severn Drought Order

The Environment Agency (“the Agency”) in relation to England are applying to the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Natural Resources Wales in relation to Wales, are applying to Welsh Government, for a drought order under Section 73 of the Water Resources Act 1991

Due to the threat of a serious deficiency in flows/levels in the River Severn catchment which poses a serious threat to the flora or fauna which are dependent on those waters, the Agency and Natural Resources Wales are proposing for a drought order. The deficiency is caused by an exceptional shortage of rain. The proposed drought order, which is intended to apply for up to 6 months, aims to maintain supported water resources along the whole River Severn for longer at lower quantities, rather than risk running out of supported water and causing significant and sudden river level/flow declines.

The River Severn is artificially supported by reservoir and groundwater releases most years, known as ‘River Severn Regulation.’ This year has needed large and continuous releases to maintain a healthy river. This has lowered water levels in Clywedog Reservoir at the head of the River Severn in Wales to drought action triggers, a level which needs changes in operations via a drought order to conserve water.

We are notifying you of this application. The details of the application can be found in the attached notice and on Abstracting or impounding water: notices of applications made - GOV.UK. You can also view the application and supporting documents online at: https://ymgynghori.cyfoethnaturiol.cymru/permitting-caniatau/river-sever...

If you wish to make an objection about this application, please write to both water.resources@defra.gov.uk and waterEPC@gov.wales or at the addresses below:

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, c/o Water Resources Policy, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Seacole 3rd Floor, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF.

Water Branch, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ

Any objection(s) should be made immediately and in any event to be received by no later than 5pm on 25 August 2026.

Yours sincerely

Grace Wight

Environment Planning and Engagement Manager

Local Operations West Midlands