Water chiefs: We’re ready for a drought
PLAN IN PLACE MEANS ‘STANDPIPES WILL NOT BE NEEDED’
GREATER Manchester is on drought alert, United Utilities bosses have announced.
As the heatwave shows no signs of letting up, water levels have dropped to the point where the region’s drought plan has kicked in.
A hosepipe ban, due to come into force on August 5, has already been announced and other measures are now also set to be introduced.
A 255-page document outlines how United Utilities (UU) will continue to supply water to its seven million customers and 200,000 businesses across the North West from its 100 reservoirs, rivers and streams plus numerous groundwater sources.
It’s also meant to ensure that standpipes would not needed, even under the most extreme drought foreseeable.
That’s because UU want to avoid the ‘serious public health implications and severe social and economic disruption’ standpipes would bring.
But, the plan states, even if we were to experience the worst drought on record, our reservoirs, while reaching very low levels, would not empty, as measures would have been taken before that point to conserve water supplies.
Martin Padley, water services director at United Utilities, said the region’s reservoirs were now on average about two-thirds full.
But demand for water has also increased by 25 per cent – the largest jump in recent memory – with use in the North West reaching more than a billion litres a day.
It means extra water sources, such as boreholes, are being used in places such as Altrincham and Bowdon. And last week, UU asked the government for permission to increase the amount of water it takes from three lakes in Cumbria – Ullswater, Windermere and Ennerdale Water.
Mr Padley said: “The plan assumes the worst case scenario of no rainfall for months on end.
“The recent rainfall in Manchester is very welcome, helping water gardens and reduce the demand for water usage. “Any rainfall over our reservoirs in the Lake District and the Pennine hills will gradually start to replenish our water resources, which are presently at around 63 per cent.
“We’re continuing to repair leaks at the rate of more than 700 a week, and we’re moving water supplies around the region using our vast pipe network. We’re very grateful to all our customers for their continued support in using water wisely.” Martin Padley, United Utilities