This year has been exceptionally dry, with Yorkshire experiencing the driest spring on record. The dry and warm weather means that Yorkshire’s rivers are running low and our reservoirs are around 20% lower than we’d expect at this time of year. To help protect the environment and mange water stocks, we introduced hosepipe restrictions on Friday 11th July.
The exceptionally dry weather means that we also need to take further steps to allow our reservoirs to recover and to ensure that we will have enough water next year to supply customers and protect the environment.
To help us refill our reservoirs over the winter we are applying to the Environment Agency for drought permits, which will allow us to increase the amount of water we take from rivers to use for supply or reduce the amount of water we release from reservoirs to support river levels downstream (these are called compensation flows).
By reducing compensation flows we will preserve supplies in our reservoirs for meeting customer demand if the exceptionally low rainfall continues. This will reduce the flow to the downstream environment but will allow us to continue to support the river environment for longer.
Applications relating to river abstractions are for increasing the total volume we can abstract. This will reduce the volume we need to take from reservoirs and help conserve reservoir stocks.
The permit applications won’t have any impact on customer supplies, but we would always ask customers to play their part by using water wisely.
Application documents
Ouse
Application
YW River Ouse Drought Order Application 2025 Public
Appendix 2 River Ouse stand alone notice
Existing Licences and Acts
Moor Monkton Abstraction Licence- Base Licence
River Ouse Moor Monkton agreement with CRT 2025
Draft permits
Draft drought order - Ouse at MM
EAR and EMP
Figure B1.1 River Ouse at Moor Monkton
YW DP EMP_Appendix A5 - River Options
YW DP River Ouse EAR Appendix A
North West
Application
YW Drought Permit Application 2025 NW Area public
Draft permits
Existing Licences and Acts
EAR and EMP
WR80 forms
Wharfe
Application
River Wharfe YW Drought Permit Application 2025 Public
Appendix 2 River Wharfe stand alone notice
Existing Licences and Acts
Arthington Abstraction Licence 2022
Draft permits
River Wharfe at Arthington draft permit
River Wharfe at Lobwood - Draft Permit
EAR and EMP
Figure 4.1 River Wharfe at Lobwood overview
Figure B1.1 River Wharfe at Lobwood
YW DP Wharfe at Lobwood Appendix A
YW DP Wharfe at Lobwood Appendix B
YW DP Wharfe at Lobwood EAR_Main EAR
Frequently asked questions
What are Drought Permits?
Drought permits allow us to make some temporary changes to way we operate by allowing us to:
- Reduce the amount of water we release from reservoirs to support river levels downstream.
- Take more water from rivers to use for supply, giving our reservoirs more chance to refill.
Both these actions allow us to increase the chances of our reservoirs refilling when it rains so our water stocks can get into a healthier position quicker.
Where are you applying for Drought Permits for?
We are initially submitting drought permits for our northwest area reservoirs and the river Wharfe and a drought order for the river Ouse. Details of where we have applied for permits for can be viewed on our website at www.yorkshirewater.com/drought-permits
Why do you release water from reservoirs straight into rivers rather than saving it for supply?
We release water from our reservoirs directly into rivers to help support river levels downstream and protect the environment. These releases are called compensation flows. The amount we release into the river is set by the Environment Agency, which is why we need to apply to them for a permit to reduce the amount we release.
How long will the permits last for?
They will last for a maximum of 6 months. This should allow our reservoirs time to recover.
Will reducing the flows released into the rivers / taking more water from the river damage the environment?
A healthy water environment is vital to a secure and healthy water supply. As part of the application process, we carry out extensive environmental assessments to understand the potential impact and all of this information is included in our applications for drought permits. If granted, the orders and permits will include monitoring and mitigation conditions specific to each area that we will carry out to assess and minimise any potential impact on the local environment.
How can I comment on the applications?
Comments on drought permit applications can be made in writing to the Environment Agency at Water Resources Permitting Support Centre, Environment Agency, Quadrant 2, 99 Parkway Avenue, Parkway Business Park, Sheffield, S9 4WF or emailed to psc-waterresources@environment-agency.gov.uk. Comments must be made within 7 days of the application being advertised.
Will this affect my water supply?
No, drought permits and orders only affect the amount of water we release from reservoirs in compensation flows, and the amount we can take from rivers for supply. Customer supplies won’t be affected by these applications. Some businesses who abstract water downstream from our reservoirs may be impacted and we’ll be in touch with them directly as part of the application process.