Drought guidance

If a private water supply should become insufficient due to drought conditions, a relevant person(s) should refer to their contingency plan. Where a contingency plan is not yet in place, the relevant person(s) may seek advice from the local authority or the water company, but there is no obligation on either to provide an alternative supply of water except where the local authority considers the circumstances to pose a danger to life or human health. In this case, the local authority has power to require, if practicable at reasonable cost, the local water company to supply water (by means other than in pipes) for a specified period (for example, a supply of bottled water, or water supplied in tanks or bowsers). In this situation the costs for providing the supply would be recoverable from the relevant person(s) to which the supply is provided.

Further information on options for the provision of an alternative supply, and how the local authority may be able to assist can be found on our guidance page for managing insufficiency.