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South West drought blamed on water firm's neglect by council leader
Overview
A severe drought has been declared by the Environment Agency in parts of Devon and Cornwall, with reservoir levels significantly below average. Devon County Council leader Julian Brazil blamed South West Water for the situation, accusing the firm of neglect and failing to build adequate reservoirs. South West Water stated it is managing resources and fixing leaks, while farmers have reported reduced crop yields due to the dry conditions.
Key points
- The Environment Agency declared a severe drought in parts of southern England, including east Devon and west Cornwall.
- Devon County Council leader Julian Brazil blamed South West Water's neglect and failure to build sufficient reservoirs for the drought conditions.
- Wimbleball Reservoir is at 14.9% capacity and Stithians is at 21.9%, compared to an expected 75% for this time of year.
- South West Water stated it is working to manage resources, strengthen networks, and fix leaks while urging customers to reduce water use.
- Farmers in Cornwall, such as potato grower Andrea Semmens, reported significantly reduced yields and impacted profits due to the lack of water.