TAKE NOTICE that due to the threat of a serious deficiency of supplies of water for compensation flows in Belmont Reservoir at Belmont, Greater Manchester (National Grid Reference: SD 67417 16414) caused by an exceptional shortage of rain, the Environment Agency ("the Agency") is applying to the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for a drought order under Section 73 of the Water Resources Act 1991.

The proposed drought order, which is intended to apply for up to 6 months, will allow the Agency to instruct United Utilities Water Limited to reduce the compensation flows from Belmont Reservoir to Eagley Brook under Licence Serial No. NW/069/0003/001 (dated 13 September 2010) from 9 megalitres per day (Ml/d) to 4.5 Ml/day during the period of operation of the order. The reservoirs are ‘compensation only’ with no water used for direct water supply. The order, if granted, would allow United Utilities Water Limited to continue to provide a compensation flow to meet the needs of the respective downstream environments whilst preserving stocks in the reservoirs to support their environmental needs.

Anyone may inspect the proposals, which include a map of the area affected by the order, until 22/08/2025. Inspection is free of charge and available during normal working hours at: -

• Horwich Library, Jones St, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 7AJ. (Opening hours; Mon, Thu, Fri and Sat 10:00 - 17:00, Tue 10:00 - 19:00. Closed Wed and Sun)

• Environment Agency, Lutra House, Walton Summit Centre, Dodd Way Off Seedlee Road, Preston, PR5 8BX. By appointment, telephone 020 8474 7364.

You can view the application and supporting documents online at: https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/psc/drought-order-belmont

Objections must be sent to water.resources@defra.gov.uk or:

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, c/o Water Resources Policy, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Seacole Ground Floor, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF.

Objections should be made immediately and, in any event, no later than 5pm on 22 August 2025. Objectors may send a copy of their objection to the undersigned.

Dated 08/08/2025

Ashley Bennington (Area Drought Manager), Richard Fairclough House, Knutsford Road, Latchford, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 1HT.