by Angela Cole

acole@thekmgroup.co.uk

Southern Water has applied to take more supplies from the River Medway to top up its barren Lamberhurst reservoir, which is just 41% full.
The company has asked the Environment Agency for a drought permit to top up Bewl Water after the driest 10 months since 1888.
The reservoir should be on average 88 % full.
If granted, the permit would allow the firm to change the terms of its abstraction licence for the River Medway, to take more water – under certain conditions. It could also head off water restrictions this summer.
Water strategy manager Meyrick Gough said: “This is a precautionary measure which we hope will reduce the chances of us having to restrict customers’ water use through the summer.
“We have applied for this permit now because taking water in winter is less likely to have any impact on the environment.”
A similar permit was granted in 2005 and 2006, when the reservoir was at about the same level.
Southern Water is also asking its customers to think about how they can help the situation and avoid wasting water. For water efficiency tips visithttp://www.southernwater.co.uk/ and click on Home and Leisure.