In August 2009, Defra called a public inquiry into our draft Water Resources Management Plan to examine the plan in more detail.

Following the publication of the Inspector's report in March 2010, Defra announced its decision that additional work is required on the plan.

Although Defra agrees our plan ensures security of water supply for our 8.8 million customers from 2010 to 2035, we have been asked to undertake additional work, looking in detail at options to meet demand in the longer term.

In the shorter term (the next fifteen years) our plan aims to provide almost all of the additional water our customers will need through demand management. That means further substantial reductions in leakage, metering and programmes to promote and encourage the wise use of water. We are pleased that the Inspector recommended no changes to our demand management activities.  

Following further consultation with the Environment Agency and other interested stakeholders, Defra issued instructions on the amendments we need to make to the draft plan (WRMP09) such that it meets the minimum requirements recommended by the Inspector.

Defra also advised on the work to be considered within the next plan (WRMP14). We will work closely with Defra, the Environment Agency and other stakeholders to reach an agreed plan as soon as possible.