What is the Welsh Government doing to ensure that the effects of drought are mitigated?
Water companies have a duty to produce a Drought Plan which sets out the short-term operational steps the company will take as a drought progresses. Welsh Government issues guiding principles, which set-out what is required in a Drought Plan.
Welsh Government Chairs the Wales Drought Liaison Group which brings together Natural Resources Wales, Welsh water companies, Local Authority representatives, Public Health Wales, Consumer Council for Water, Farming Unions, Met Office and environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and meets regularly to assess the situation in Wales. The group shares situational updates, reviews contingency planning, and agrees actions to effectively manage water supplies and protect the natural environment in the event of prolonged dry weather. The group also engages with the National Drought Group to ensure that Welsh drought risks and associated mitigation measures are co-ordinated in a strategic national context.
Natural Resources Wales and water companies monitor indicators all year round. This ensures risks from prolonged dry weather or drought impacts are escalated to the Wales Drought Liaison Group in good time and that prompt action is taken to protect our water resources.