Water shortages need to be addressed not ignored- Burstow

9.50.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 22nd May 2006

Responding to the announcement that Sutton and Surrey East Water have successfully applied for a drought order, the first to be given in England and Wales for over a decade, Paul Burstow, Liberal Democrat MP for Sutton and Cheam commented:

"This action is yet further evidence of the impact of climate change. We can act to conserve the reserves we have got. Two problems must be addressed in order to protect our reserves. Firstly, all water companies must tackle the problem of water leaks which are wasting millions of gallons of water a year. Secondly, retailers in our area must act responsibly and not to stock products that promote excessive water usage.

"The Water Company has a duty to respond swiftly and efficiently to leaks and other infrastructure problems in the water network. If this is done vital resources can be saved.

"On the other hand companies in our area have failed to act conscientiously. Shops such as Woolworths continue to stock waterslides, water guns and large paddling pools which encourage gratuitous water usage and only serve to make the problem worse.

"The water shortages are a burden on us all. Yet if we act sensibly the effects can be lessened."