United Utilities asks for more water from Lake District to battle drought

Water company United Utilities has submitted a request to take more water from three lakes in Cumbria - Lake Ullswater, Lake Windermere and Ennerdale Water - to fight the UK’s driest summer for decades.

The company asked for water to supply the north-west of the country in view of the recent shortage of rainfall but will have to comply with the limits regarding how much water can be taken out of the lakes in order to protect the environment, ecology and wildlife.

This is the first time United Utilities has applied for a drought permit since 2010.

With public water supplies at risk, the group will set a cap on how much water can be used in homes starting on 5 August. The hosepipe ban will affect about 7 million people in the north-west.

United Utilities' water services director Martin Padley said the decision had not been taken lightly.

"The reducing raw water reservoir levels are not surprising given the ongoing lack of rainfall. Applying for drought permits is not a decision we have taken lightly, and we are working closely with the Environment Agency, to ensure that water supplies are protected for both customers and the environment," Padley said.

Drought applications can be made when there is an exceptional shortage of rainfall and public water supplies are at risk.