Managing through drought: guidance on water restrictions

The winter of 2014 was the wettest on record, and as whole areas were flooded the capacity of drains and sewers was overwhelmed. But it is important to remember that the floods came a year after two consecutive years of drought. Water, like many other sectors, faces a huge challenge to adapt to these impacts of climate change.

Water UK and UKWIR (UK Water Industry Research) have produced a Code of Practice for water companies and stakeholders on the use of water restrictions.

The Code sets out good practice principles and actions for water companies in England and Wales to follow when they are evaluating whether and how to implement water restrictions. The document was commissioned to learn the lessons and incorporate the experiences of the droughts in 2011 and 2012.

Managing through drought: code of practice and guidance for water companies on water use restrictions