Bewl Water Reservoir December 2011

Following a major summit of water industry companies and the Government the county looks to be facing further water restrictions

Kent is now in a drought according to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The announcement comes after a major summit of key players in the water industry and the Environment Secretary, Caroline Spelman.

Kent has joined Norfolk, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire as officially suffering a drought. Eleven other counties in the south east have also been put on the list after the summit.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said: “Drought is already an issue this year with the South East, Anglia and other parts of the UK now officially in drought, and more areas are likely to be affected as we continue to experience a prolonged period of very low rainfall.

“It is not just the responsibility of Government, water companies and businesses to act against drought. We are asking for the help of everyone by urging them to use less water and to start now.”

For the last two winters the south east has seen lower than average rainfall meaning that water stocks in reservoirs, aquifers and rivers are at severely low levels.

Next month the Environment Agency will publish its latest drought prospects report, which sets out the areas that are likely to be affected by drought in spring and summer. The report aims to help water companies, farmers and other water abstractors plan for the year ahead, and sets out clear actions that these groups should take to help manage water supplies.