THE Lake District is facing the threat of a potential drought, it has been revealed at a government committee meeting. 

The news follows after plans to maintain water supply resilience have been discussed at a meeting held by the National Drought Group, including water companies, environmental groups, and Water Minister Rebecca Pow.

The meeting revealed reservoir levels throughout the Lakes have dropped significantly over the recent period of dry spring and early summer weather, raising concerns about water levels.  

According to leaked minutes of the meeting revealed by The Guardian, the group warned of 'emerging risks [to water supply] in the north-west, particularly in Cumbria'. 

Haweswater and Thirlmere saw a decrease of 13 per cent in reservoir stocks between the end of April and end of May 2023.

The figures follow after England has experienced potentially the hottest June on record, according to the Met Office, with temperatures soaring to 32.2°C. 

Devon, Cornwall and parts of East Anglia are still suffering from drought despite average rainfall earlier this year. 

Water companies, such as United Utilities, are taking proactive measures as water levels drop below 'lower than expected'. 

A spokesperson for United Utilities said: “We have seen a period of dry weather in Cumbria and this has seen reservoir levels drop below where we’d normally expect them to be at this time of year. 

"However, we can use our regional network of water resources and water pipes to move supplies to where they are needed.

"We will continue to closely monitor reservoir levels but whatever the weather, we always encourage people to use water wisely, which saves energy and money and is good for the environment. Customers can visit our website for tips on how to save more water," they said. 

There are four stages of drought, prolonged dry weather, drought, severe drought, and recovering from drought - Cumbria and Lancashire are moving into prolonged dry weather status, a spokesperson from the Environment Agency confirmed.