The exceptionally dry conditions in 1995 and 1996 led to widespread national concern regarding the adequacy of water resources in England and Wales. In October 1996 the Environment Agency was asked by the then Department of the Environment (DOE) to co-ordinate a review of the reliable yields of water resource systems, using up - to - date and consistent assumptions and methodology, and taking into account current operation and recent hydrometric data (DOE, 1996). The need for close co-*operation between water companies and the Agency was stressed, and the results were to be published by the end of 1997. In February 1997 the Agency issued guidelines for the yield assessment process, covering both surface and groundwater yields (Environemtn Agency, 1997).
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