Emma Hardy has called on water companies to follow their drought plans after the Environment Agency formally declared drought status in Yorkshire on 9 October.
The water minister said recent rainfall had not replenished the water used over spring and summer. Low reservoir and river levels remained a serious concern.
The declaration follows prolonged dry weather status introduced in the area at the end of July. The agency says continued shortages have now reached its trigger for a drought declaration.
Hardy said the Government was monitoring companies’ actions and expected them to repair leaks quickly and reduce demand. The agency will implement its Yorkshire Drought Plan and continue monitoring water levels.
The National Drought Group is meeting weekly to coordinate the response. Its membership includes regulators, water companies, farmers, conservation organisations and other groups affected by water shortages.
The declaration changes the assessment and management of water conditions. It does not itself establish a uniform household water-use ban across Yorkshire.
