Hosepipe ban could be lifted sooner rather than later

The company which supplies water to 8.8 million homes in London and the Thames Valley put hosepipe bans in place following 18 months of very dry weather, including two consecutive dry winters – a time of year when rainfall is crucial for recharging groundwater supplies.

However, following the wettest April on record in the UK and further rainfall in May, much needed water has been added to the river systems and reservoir levels have significantly increased.

They said that customers’ strong response to the drought and their help in saving water has also directly helped to lessen the strain on water resources.

Richard Aylard, Sustainability Director for Thames Water said: “Taking everything into account, we need a little longer to be sure that we will have enough water to get us through the summer and autumn without restrictions. We will however not keep the restrictions in place for a moment longer than is necessary, and will update our customers again on the situation towards the end of June.”

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This news coincides with a statement from the Environment Agency that says the risk of widespread summer water restrictions has reduced, with public water supplies, agricultural water stores and wildlife habitats replenished by April downpours.

Reservoir levels across England and Wales are now at least 75 per cent full, with some reservoirs close to full capacity. However, the Environment Agency warns that groundwater levels are still a concern across many parts of England.

In central and eastern parts of England, groundwater sources provide as much as 50 per cent of public water supplies, which is why water companies in this part of the UK have been so badly affected by the lack of rainfall.

According to the statement released by Thames Water, Anglian Water and Southern Water are in a similar position and hope to be able to lift hosepipe bans sooner rather than later.

However for South East Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water and Veolia Water the situation is very different. These water companies are much more heavily dependent on groundwater sources, so a lift of hosepipe bans in these areas currently looks unlikely.

Whilst for now the situation seems to be improving, Trevor Bishop, Head of Water Resources at the Environment Agency, warns: “while the risk of drought with further water restrictions and associated environmental impacts this summer has reduced, the situation could deteriorate again next year if there is not enough rain this winter.”

Further heavy rain is expected across much of the UK during the next few days, with showers continuing into next week.