Take shorter showers to avoid hosepipe ban, say water firms

Telegraph

18-05-2025

Water firms have warned customers to take shorter showers if they want to avoid a hosepipe ban.
England has had the driest spring on record since 1961, with April receiving just half of its expected rainfall, according to official figures.
The Environment Agency has now warned that there is a 'medium risk' of a drought this summer.
Tim Mcmahon, Southern Water's managing director of water, told BBC News 'drought conditions would be likely' unless there were 'significant periods of rain over the next three months'.
'We have long-term plans for new sources of water to combat the significant challenge of water scarcity in the region, but right now, we must all work together to keep our taps running,' said Mr Mcmahon.
SES Water said it was 'ready for summer' and its resources were 'in a very strong position'.
'The one thing none of us can control is the weather and we know demand for water rises in warmer months, so everyone should keep using water wisely,' the company added.
The Environment Agency recently warned water companies they need to be better prepared for regular droughts.
Richard Thompson, the deputy director of water for the Environment Agency, said: 'The changing climate means we will see more summer droughts in the coming decades.
'The last two years were some of the wettest on record for England but drier conditions at the start of this year mean a drought is a possibility and we need to be prepared.
'It's heartening to see more people looking to reduce their water use and we expect water companies to do more to cut leakage and roll out smart meters.'
The Government's National Drought Group met earlier this month to urge water companies to do more to safeguard water supplies.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said that whilst there are currently no plans for hosepipe bans if the dry weather continues, water companies may need to activate their dry weather plans.
The warning comes as customers have been hit with large increases in their water bills. The average annual bill has risen by £123 this year – a 26 per cent jump, according to Water UK. Southern Water has imposed the largest rise of 47 per cent, expecting next year's average bill to be £703.
Most of the UK's river levels are expected to be below normal levels in May, apart from the south-west of England and southern Wales.
Experts are concerned that reservoir levels are much lower than is usual at this time of year.
One of the UK's highest reservoirs, Blackstone Edge Reservoir in the Pennines, has turned into sand and grit in the wake of Britain's dry spring weather, despite sitting at 1,250ft.
The low temperatures in the mountainous area normally leave the reservoir surrounded by snow for six months of the year, but the Pennines have become dry and barren during the past few weeks.
Phil Taylor, a 62-year-old photographer from Bolton, Greater Manchester, discovered the scene after a recent trip to the area. He said it was 'quite concerning' that the area's reservoir levels are so low at this time of year.
'I've been photographing them for the last eight years, and this is probably the lowest I've seen them at this time of year,' Mr Taylor said.
'High up in the Pennines, almost 1,300ft above sea level, where sometimes in winter the road is blocked due to snow, it's surprising to see a reservoir where the surroundings have more or less become a beach.
'The signs telling people to avoid deep water seem superfluous, as the area has just become a mud flat.'
The reservoir is owned by United Utilities, who issued a warning earlier this month urging residents of the north-west of England to use less water as reservoir levels sit at 69 per cent full, far below the usual 90 per cent at this time last year.
Matt Hemmings, chief operating officer at United Utilities, said: 'We have ramped up our operations as this dry spell continues to manage water resources and get water to where it is needed.
'With local reservoir levels lower than we would expect for the time of the year, we can all play our part to make sure there's enough water for people, wildlife and the environment.'