THE south-east region is one of the driest in the UK and except for London, the most densely populated.

The plan to build more homes in the south-east should cause considerable concerns that the water infrastructure is unable to cope with this growth.

In particular, there is the increasing risk that the demand will exceed the available water resource, especially during droughts.

The Government and much of the water industry do not appear to heed these doubts.

They seem to have faith that the increase in population can be catered for and that new developments can be “water neutral.” But such faith is unfounded.

Should more homes be built in the south-east it is bound to make the stress more severe and the search for additional resources more vital.

SAM SNOOK, Eastleigh.