Latest news with #NevilMuncaster
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
One simple trick that could allow you to use a hosepipe during the ban
A hosepipe ban will be enforced by Thames Water in certain postcodes across the UK from next Tuesday - here's how to make sure your grass is watered despite the ban One potential workaround could enable Brits to use their hosepipes this summer, despite the escalating number of bans across England. During a hosepipe ban, people are still often allowed to water newly laid turf for a restricted period, typically 28 days. This is due to the fact that new turf requires regular watering to establish roots and prevent it from drying out, particularly in the initial weeks. Water companies generally acknowledge this and offer exemptions, but it's always advisable to verify the specific regulations of your local water supplier. READ MORE: Savvy shoppers save £100 on permanent hair removal gadget plus an extra 20% off If you're uncertain or wish to err on the side of caution, you can also use a watering can, bucket, or drip irrigation system to hydrate your turf during a ban. If you opt to use a hosepipe, aim to water during off-peak hours to reduce water consumption and evaporation. A timer can also be useful to ensure the turf is watered at the optimal time and prevent overwatering. So far this year, ten counties have been subjected to hosepipe bans following the declaration of drought conditions in England. Yesterday, Thames Water announced that a hosepipe ban would commence next Tuesday, reports the Express. The temporary restriction will start on July 22 for all customers in OX postcodes, all GL postcodes, all SN postcodes, as well as customers in RG4, RG8 and RG9 postcodes. The ban does not apply to businesses where the use of a hosepipe is integral to their operations, such as car washes or garden centres. Thames Water has announced that due to a prolonged spell of hot weather, there's a significant decrease in water availability coupled with a surge in demand, with customers using up to 30% more water when temperatures soar above 25C. Nevil Muncaster, the strategic water resources director at Thames Water, emphasised the urgency of the situation: "We have to take action now. "This has been a challenging spring and summer with big spikes in customer demand during hot dry days and very little rainfall to replenish local supplies in the Thames Valley." The news follows Yorkshire Water's recent declaration of a hosepipe ban affecting 5.5 million people. The company highlighted that the region had received a mere 15cm of rain from February to June, which is less than half the average annual expectation. Shortly thereafter, South East Water imposed a ban on 1.4 million customers in Kent and Sussex due to unprecedented water usage levels. The company reported that demand across these counties had hit "the highest levels" this year and had "reached a point where they have exceeded the limits in the company's drought plan". The ten counties now facing restrictions are: Kent, Sussex, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, North Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire. These measures come in the wake of the Environment Agency declaring northwest England in a state of "drought" back in May, noting that reservoir storage levels were lower than during the droughts of 1984, 1995, and 2022.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Climate
- The Guardian
Thames Water announces hosepipe ban as dry weather depletes reservoirs
Thames Water has announced a hosepipe ban as a record dry spring and summer has severely reduced water supplies. Households in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire will be banned from using hosepipes to wash cars or water gardens from Tuesday 22 July. The ban will affect all OX, GL and SN postcodes, as well as RG4, RG8 and RG9. The recent hot weather has caused a large surge in demand as people water their gardens and keep cool in the heatwave. Nevil Muncaster, strategic water resources director at Thames Water, said he did not 'anticipate the situation will improve any time soon', adding: 'We have to take action now.' He said: 'This has been a challenging spring and summer with big spikes in customer demand during hot dry days and very little rainfall to replenish local supplies in the Thames Valley.' Gary Carter of the trade union GMB said the ban was 'disgraceful'. He said: 'Thames Water lost 200bn litres of water through leaks last year. That's 570m litres wasted every single day – the worst in the country. 'GMB members at Thames are working hard and doing the best they can, but they've had their hands tied behind their backs by crumbling infrastructure and non-existent investment. For Thames Water to now impose a hosepipe ban while bills rocket is disgraceful.' Hosepipe bans could last for months as aquifers recharge and reservoirs refill. Yorkshire Water has said its ban, which was announced last week, could be in place until winter. The government's national drought group is meeting on Monday as farmers, water companies and experts coordinate their response to the extreme lack of rainfall. This comes after the Guardian revealed England's reservoirs are at their lowest levels for a decade. In June, reservoirs across the country were 76% full, which is below the level at the same point during the severe drought year of 2022, when they were at 77% capacity. Levels have continued to drop dramatically as the hot weather has increased demand for water and there has been very little rain to refill reservoirs. Yorkshire Water's hosepipe ban was introduced after the region recorded its driest spring in 132 years. South East Water also announced a hosepipe ban for more than 1 million people in Kent and Sussex on Friday. The prolonged dry spring and summer coupled with hot weather, which increases consumer water use, has caused reservoir levels in some areas of the country to fall significantly. Severn Trent's reservoir levels have dropped from 83.5% on 23 May to 71.1% on 30 June. United Utilities' reservoir levels are at 65%; at the same point last year they were at 84.5%. Yorkshire's reservoirs are at 55.8%, down more than a quarter on the normal level for this time of year. Last year the government and water companies announced proposals to build nine new reservoirs by 2050. No major reservoirs have been completed in England since 1992, shortly after the water sector was privatised.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Thames Water issues hosepipe ban
A hosepipe ban affecting several postcode areas has been announced by Thames Water. The water firm said the measure would come into place across Swindon, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire on Tuesday 22 July due to a lack of rain and increasing demand, which had stretched supplies. It bans the use of a hosepipe for activities such as watering the garden, washing the car or filling a paddling pool. It comes as the Environment Agency said it had declared a state of prolonged dry weather in large parts of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Surrey. Thames Water said the temporary restriction would cover areas with postcodes beginning with OX, GL, SN, RG4, RG8 and RG9. The ban does not affect businesses where hosepipe use is part of their purpose - for example, garden centres and car washes - but the company said everyone in the region should be "mindful" of water use. Thames Water said prolonged hot weather meant there was less water available as well as a higher demand, with customers using up to 30% more water when temperatures were above 25C. Nevil Muncaster, strategic water resources director at Thames Water, said he did not "anticipate the situation will improve any time soon". "We have to take action now," he said. "This has been a challenging spring and summer with big spikes in customer demand during hot dry days and very little rainfall to replenish local supplies in the Thames Valley." He encouraged customers both within and outside the ban area to reduce water use, by doing things like turning taps off while brushing teeth, taking shorter showers and not watering their lawns. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
Sky News
6 days ago
- Climate
- Sky News
Thames Water to introduce hosepipe ban across four counties
Thames Water is introducing a hosepipe ban across Swindon, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire. It comes after the Environment Agency placed the Thames area into its Prolonged Dry Weather category. The Temporary Use Ban, in areas with a postcode starting with OX, GL, SN and RG4, RG8 and RG9, will come into operation at one minute past midnight on Tuesday 22 July. It follows the driest spring in over a century and England's warmest June on record. Nevil Muncaster, strategic water resources director at Thames Water, said: "This has been a challenging spring and summer with big spikes in customer demand during hot dry days and very little rainfall to replenish local supplies in the Thames Valley. "Given the continued warm, dry weather we do not anticipate that the situation will improve any time soon so we have to take action now. Every drop of water we use comes from the environment and we have to balance protecting this while taking out the water needed to top-up reservoir levels. "That is why we have had to make to the difficult decision to implement a hosepipe ban to make sure there's enough water for customers' essential needs and to protect rivers. "While this TUB will only affect customers in certain areas, I want to thank all our customers for their understanding and for their support so far to reduce their water use. This includes turning the taps off while brushing teeth, taking shorter showers and letting your lawn go dry." Please refresh the page for the latest version.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Thames Water urges household to use less water as reservoir levels decline
Households are being urged to cut back on water use as reservoir levels drop and the risk of restrictions Water said in areas it serves - including Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Surrey - supplies were "quite low," and a hosepipe ban was under active consideration. The company said small changes at home could make a big difference."We are really concerned about the water we have got and making the best use of it," said Nevil Muncaster, the firm's strategic water resources director. Mr Muncaster said taking shorter showers could save up to 20 litres per person, while a single leaky toilet might waste as much as 400 litres a day. Running only full loads in dishwashers and washing machines is also Environment Agency has declared a state of prolonged dry weather across much of the region, raising the likelihood of further action.A temporary use ban could reduce overall consumption by about 10%, helping stretch supplies through the summer and into autumn, Mr Muncaster told BBC Radio Berkshire. "We're asking customers to work with us now," he added. No final decision has been made on a hosepipe ban, but an announcement is expected within the next week. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
