Yorkshire Water customers have been subject to a hosepipe ban since 11 July amid a prolonged spell of warm and dry weather in the UK.
Last week the company said it had not ruled out extending the ban to businesses after water levels at its reservoirs dropped to 42.2% capacity.
A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: “The drought permit we applied for on the Wharfe is an important part of the next stage of our Drought Plan.
“If granted, it will allow us to temporarily draw more water from the Wharfe when conditions allow.
“This will help to reduce the pressure on our reservoir stock in the short-term, as well as enabling them to recharge and refill quicker through the autumn and winter months.
“It is an essential step to protect water supplies and the environment after an extremely dry year and the declaration of drought in our region, which has been brought about by six consecutive months of below average rainfall.”
A hosepipe ban was…
