SOUTH West Water is to hold three community drop-in events in Teignbridge to answer questions about the ongoing severe drought and explain what is being done to protect water supplies.

The events will give residents and businesses the chance to speak directly with the water company’s teams about the drought, the impact on local supplies and how they can help conserve water.

The Environment Agency recently announced last week that parts of Devon and Cornwall are in severe drought, following months of exceptionally dry weather and the hottest summer on record.

Although recent rainfall has provided some relief, South West Water said it was not enough to secure a sustained recovery, with some reservoirs at critically low levels.

The first of the three local events will take place in Bovey Tracey town centre on Saturday, November 28, from 1.30pm to 6pm.

Residents in Dawlish will have an opportunity to speak to the teams on Sunday, December 13, from 10am to 4pm at The Strand.

The final event in the area will be held in Teignmouth on Sunday, December 20, from 9am to 1pm at Teignmouth Triangle.

South West Water is encouraging people to work together to protect supplies for essential use throughout the drought period.

It is also urging residents to check on vulnerable friends, relatives and neighbours and make sure they know what support is available.

The company’s Priority Services Register offers additional assistance to customers who need it, including people with disabilities or medical conditions.

South West Water says it is taking a range of measures to manage the impact of the drought, including exploring opportunities to take additional water from rivers where flows allow, subject to regulatory approval.

It is also considering increasing treatment capacity at some water treatment works and adapting its operations to preserve reservoir storage while continuing to provide safe, high-quality drinking water.

Dani Twelvetree, the company’s director of customer communications and engagement, said the drop-ins would help people understand the challenges facing water supplies and learn how they could play their part.

‘These community drop-ins give people the opportunity to speak directly with our teams, understand the challenges we face, learn more about the action we're taking to protect water supplies and find out how they can play a part in helping conserve water’, she said.