Environment Agency

WATER RESOURCES ACT 1991, SECTION 79A

DROUGHT PERMIT GRANTED FOR PONTSTICILL RESERVOIR

There has been an exceptional shortfall of rainfall in the water catchment serving the Pontsticill Reservoir in the period since July 2003. Whilst there are no concerns that this will cause a shortage in supply during the winter months, Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig wishes to ensure that the reservoir refills so as to maintain normal supplies during the summer months of 2004. To achieve this Dwr Cymru Cyfngedig of Pentwyn Road, Nelson, Mid Glamorgan CF46 6LY has applied for and been granted a drought permit by the Environment Agency.
The drought permit has been granted for the period from 23 December 2003 until 31 May 2004 and authorises a reduction in the compensation flow from the Pontsticill Reservoir from 19.1 to 10 megalitres per day. The authorised reduction was put into place on 29 December 2003.
The anticipated effect of the drought permit will be to sustain water levels in the Pontsticill Reservoir so as to improve reservoir refill and help safeguard water supplies for next summer. The Environment Agency and Countryside Council for Wales have been consulted to ensure that the start date for this permission minimises the environmental impacts within the affected catchment and no significant environmental effects are anticipated.
Anyone may inspect the drought permit, free of charge, during normal office hours, until 23 January 2004 at the following locations:

Pantyscallog Post Office, 14-15 Pantyscallog Houses, Pant, Merthyr Tydfil CF48 2BY;
Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig Headquarters, Pentwyn Road, Nelson, Treharris CF46 6LY;
Area Office, Environment Agency Wales, Rivers House, Fortran Road, St Mellons Business Park, St Mellons, Cardiff CF3 0EY;
Area Office, Environment Agency Wales, Hadnock Road, Monmouth NP25 3NQ.

Office Hours for Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig are 8.30 am to 5.00 pm. Office hours for Environment Agency Wales are 9.30 am to 3.30 pm.
S Gallimore, Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig
15 January 2004.