The Environment Agency (EA) has introduced new measures to protect the supply of drinking water in Yorkshire as parts of the country remain in a drought.

The government department warned that there is a "serious deficiency" in the country's water supplies after the UK recorded its hottest ever summer this year. Reservoir levels across Yorkshire are "notably low", the EA said.

The EA has announced that 19 drought permits have been granted to Yorkshire Water to allow them to conserve water in the coming months.

Under the current licence, the water company is required to release a certain amount of water from reservoirs to maintain the health of the river.

However, the new permits will allow Yorkshire Water to reduce the amount of water it has to release so that more water can be conserve

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