No plan for hosepipe ban
WATER SUPPLIERS ASK PEOPLE TO LIMIT USE AS HEATWAVE AND DRY SPELL GOES ON
WATER suppliers in Burton and South Derbyshire are adamant there are no plans to implement a hosepipe ban as the heatwave continues.
Officials from South Staffs Water and Severn Trent Water have both, however, issued a warning advising customers to try to limit their water usage.
This comes as millions of people are expected to be affected by the summer’s first hosepipe ban in the North-West of England.
A temporary ban from water company, United Utilities from Sunday, August 5 is hoped to help “safeguard essential supplies” with reservoir levels already low.
Warm temperatures are set to continue for the near future, with the Met Office weekly forecast predicting temperatures of at least 24C in Burton every day this week.
South Staffs Water, which supplies water across parts of Staffordshire, Derbyshire and the West Midlands, insisted it has no plans for a hosepipe ban.
Phil Newland, managing director at South Staffs Water, said: “With the prolonged dry weather, we continue to monitor our water supplies closely. Currently, our supply levels are coping with demand.
“However, temperatures are due to continue to rise throughout the week, including over the weekend. We are prioritising leakage and have allocated additional resources to fix leaks.
“We do not envisage any restrictions being placed on customers. As demand is still high, we would, however, request that customers do not waste water.”
Any customers of South Staffs Water experiencing issues should contact them on 0800 243 352.
Fellow water supplier, Severn Trent Water also currently does not have a plan for a hosepipe ban to be South Staff Water and Severn Trent ater companies have both said ey re ot oing plement a hosepipe any ti e soon.
implemented. A spokesman said: “We have no current plans for a hosepipe ban.”
But it has reminded customers to put their sprinkler systems away, as a sprinkler can “use as much as 1,000 litres of drinking water in just one hour.”
People are advised to take showers rather than baths, as it uses roughly 40 litres less water. Paddling pools should be avoided and bucket and sponges used to clean cars rather than a hose. A temporary hosepipe ban restricts people from using hosepipes or sprinklers to water private gardens or wash cars, according to the Mirror.
According to the Water Use (Temporary Bans) Order 2010, using a hose to clean a private boat, to fill a domestic swimming or paddling pool or pond, or to clean walls, windows, paths or patios of a domestic property is also banned.
Each local water company can decide whether certain activities are exempt.
People can still use a watering can to water their gardens, and can wash their cars using a bucket and sponge.
During a ban, people are also encouraged to think of ways to save water – for example by taking shorter showers or turning off taps while brushing their teeth.
Anyone found guilty of breaking a ban can be prosecuted in a criminal court and fined up to £1,000.