Navigation through Gloucester Docks faces possible restrictions as measures are considered to protect Bristol’s drinking water supply during an ongoing drought affecting the River Severn.
A prolonged lack of rainfall this summer has resulted in critically low water levels and flow rates along the River Severn, the longest river in Britain. In response, the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales have applied for a six-month drought order intended to manage supported water resources more sustainably over the coming months.
This drought order aims to extend the availability of supported water by allowing only lower volume flows, thereby preventing sudden and severe declines in water levels that could harm local ecology and migratory fish populations. Though the River Severn’s flow is artificially sustained through releases from reservoirs and groundwater sources, this year these supplies have been heavily utilised to maintain river health.
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One such reservoir, Llyn Clywedog at the Severn’s headwaters in Wales, has reached drought action trigger levels, necessitating operational changes to conserve water under the proposed drought order.
If granted, the order would impose a daily abstraction cap of 300 million litres at Gloucester and Sharpness Canal’s Gloucester Docks when river flows at gauges in Deerhurst or Haw Bridge drop below 1,200 million litres per day. Currently, the Canal and River Trust pumps approximately 245 million litres a day into the Docks, which then flows through the canal system to Bristol Water’s treatment works in Purton, over 14 miles away. This canal supplies about half of Bristol’s drinking water.
Notably, every use of the locks at Gloucester Docks and Sharpness causes significant water loss from the canal. Consequently, the Canal and River Trust warns that enforcing the drought order will require closing navigation through Gloucester Lock to preserve essential water levels.
At Sharpness, navigation would continue but be limited to commercial traffic, with efforts made to accommodate leisure vessels alongside commercial shipping where feasible.
Jay Clements, managing director of English Holiday Cruises Ltd, which operates the Edward Elgar hotel boat based at Gloucester Docks, acknowledged the seriousness of the drought while emphasising the need for any measures to be proportionate and evidence-based. His company remains actively engaged with authorities as the drought order application progresses.
A spokesperson for the Canal and River Trust highlighted the organisation’s collaboration with government and partners to address this exceptionally dry season. They confirmed that restricting water intake from the Severn via the drought order is crucial to maintaining supply at Sharpness Docks and fulfilling Bristol Water’s obligations.
“The current situation remains fluid due to the evolving nature of the drought,” the spokesperson added. “We will keep customers and stakeholders informed of any further actions required in accordance with government guidance following the notice period for the drought order.”
Members of the public have until 25 August to submit objections to the drought order application to Defra and the Welsh Government. If approved, the order would remain in force for six months.