Midlands In Drought

It follows the wettest April on record, which saw recent heavy rain boost river and reservoir levels. The Agency says it'll continue to keep a close eye on the situation.

• UK
• Drought
• West Midlands

• UK
• Severn Trent Water
• Drought

The Environment Secretary, Caroline Spelman, has defended issuing a drought order for the Midlands while Severn Trent, which supplies the region, sells water to Anglian Water in the east of the country.

She says Severn Trent's move will be replicated elsewhere in the UK.

"There are local connections turning up all over the country, so it's not as simple as one way traffic. For example, Thames Water has a desalination plant and sells water to Essex and Suffolk.

"Severn Trent supply Anglian and United Utilities are connected to Welsh Water. It's all about good connectivity, local connectivity, so we have the flexibility to move the water around where it is in adequate supply to places that really do need it."

Reporter asks: "Will Severn Trent be making money selling water to Anglian?"

"Severn Trent have yet to reach a final agreement with Anglian Water and, of course, Severn Trent have to remember that in another year they might need to buy the water from Anglian.

"I think they are approaching it in a spirit of co-operation, which we would expect to see."

• UK
• Drought
• West Midlands