Letter: End of the drought

The water industry has no wish to be a labelled a "prophet of gloom" (report, 4 February), but is it really surprising that it's still cautious about the prospects for the UK's water supplies?

Of the 17 companies represented by the Water Companies Association, seven rate their underground supplies as low, two are restricting the use of hose-pipes and sprinklers, and six believe substantial rainfall over the next two months is needed. Yes, surface reservoirs are fuller than normal but in East Anglia, up to 50 per cent of water comes from underground - and that's where the problem is.

So is the drought over? In terms of rainfall, yes. But in terms of the amount of water available for public supplies, we'll only really know the answer to that in April.

PAMELA TAYLOR

Chief Executive

The Water Companies Association

London SW1