Don’t panic! Water bosses say we’re not about to run dry...
LEVELS DROP AT ONE OF MAIN RESERVOIRS SUPPLYING MANCHESTER
ONE of the main reservoirs that supplies Manchester’s water is looking dried up and cracked – but bosses are urging us not to panic.
An alarming set of images taken over the weekend at Thirlmere in the Lake District show cracked earth and mud where the water is normally up to 40 metres deep.
The 3.7-mile lake brings water to Manchester via the pioneering 96-mile long Thirlmere Aqueduct.
According to United Utilities, Thirlmere and nearby Haweswater reservoir are currently at about 68 per cent capacity.
That’s 4pc down on last week, and almost 10pc down on the same time last year when stocks were at 77pc.
Thirlmere’s water level is almost five metres below the top level.
Greater Manchester has been enjoying relatively dry and sunny weather for weeks, prompting some to wonder if emergency water conserving measures, such as a hosepipe ban, could be on the way.
Popular Twitter account Manchester Weather said significant rain isn’t likely until next week, adding: “Never seen my garden so dry!”
One follower replied: “Hosepipe ban soon!”
There are also reports of low water levels up in Saddleworth, encouraging daytrippers to go swimming despite the signs warning against it.
At the end of last month, the Saddleworth Independent newspaper tweeted an image of a ‘disappearing’ duck pond in Uppermill which has left local wildlife high and dry.
It comes as forecasters predicting a three-month summer heatwave. The national weather service is warning emergency services, transport leaders, business chiefs and councils of the risks of a hotter than normal three months. A Met Office spokesman said: “For June to August, above-average temperatures are more likely than below-average temperatures. “The probability the UK average temperature for June to August will fall into the warmest of our five categories is 40pc. The coldest of our five categories is around 5pc. “The likelihood of above-average temperatures is greater than usual.” But a spokesman for United Utilities insisted the water levels at Thirlmere are not as worrying as the photographs might suggest and no hosepipe bans are planned at the moment.
The company says although Thirlmere stocks are down, overall water levels for the region are at 83pc around the same as last year and that water supplies can be moved around to where they are needed most.
A spokesman told the M.E.N.: “Following the wet winter our reservoir levels were very healthy at the start of the current dry period, and our regional reservoir stocks are now at 83pc, which is around the same as this time last year.
“As usual we will be monitoring the situation throughout the summer, and we continue to use our integrated water network to move supplies around the region to balance the needs of customers and the environment.
“Whatever the weather, we always encourage people to use water wisely, which helps saves on energy and money.”