‘Take a shorter shower’ to boost reservoirs
Wet November prompts end to Thames Water hose ban, but customers still urged to save more water
HOUSEHOLDS have been urged to continue taking shorter showers despite Thames Water lifting its hosepipe ban after 33 per cent more rain than average this month.
Thames Water ended the restrictions, imposed on its 10 million customers in August, yesterday as the South East experiences the wettest November in at least five years.
November has received a month’s worth of rain already, meaning river and reservoir levels have started to improve, Thames Water said.
However, it warned that more rain would be needed to fully refill supplies, and called for households to continue using less water at home, including by taking shorter showers and fully loading their washing machines.
“Despite the recent rain, we still need to protect our future water supply,” said Sarah Bentley, Thames Water chief executive. “We need more rain throughout winter to ensure our rivers and reservoirs are fully recharged, ready for spring and summer next year.”
She added: “While storage levels have improved at many of our reservoirs, we’re not out of the woods yet.
“Some sites in west London remain below average, which is why we’re adopting a cautious approach.
“It’s also why fixing leaks remains our priority. We’re investing millions to upgrade infrastructure. across the region.”
Thames Water has come under pressure over its poor record on leaks, the worst in the industry, which it blames on ageing infrastructure.
Karen Gibbs, from the Consumer Council for Water, said: “Even though restrictions have been lifted for Thames Water customers, it’s still really important that people continue to use water wisely, as it will take considerable time for the environment to fully recover from the drought.
“There also remain significant cost of living benefits to saving water which can take some of the heat out of energy and water bills, through simple steps like shortening your time in the shower or always ensuring your washing machine is fully loaded.”
High levels of rain have lifted fears that hosepipe bans would continue well into 2023, although the Environment Agency warned last month that some areas of the country were likely to stay in drought status into the next year.
The South-east had 100mm of rain in the first two months of November, compared to a long term average of 75mm.
Yellow rain warnings are in place for the South West, Orkney and Northern Ireland.
South East Water is expected to also lift its hosepipe ban, affecting customers in Kent and Sussex.
Lee Dance, head of water resources at South East Water, said: “We have been reviewing continually our water resource position and will be removing the Temporary Use Bans we have in place in Kent and Sussex soon.”
Yorkshire, Southern and Welsh Water have already lifted the restrictions imposed this summer as the country experienced one of its driest periods on record.
South West Water said its hosepipe ban was still in place for customers in Cornwall, who have been offered £30 off their bills if the local Colliford Reservoir reaches 30 per cent storage capacity by the end of the year.
A spokesman said that despite recent rainfall in the area reservoir levels remained much lower than normal, with the dry ground making it more difficult for moisture to reach groundwater sources.