June 7, 2012 7.35 am This story is over 146 months old

Water levels improve, but hosepipe ban stays

It’s still on: Hosepipe ban remains in place as water reserves are slowly replenishing after rain in recent weeks.

The hosepipe ban in the region will remain in place, despite the latest Environment Agency (EA) report showing water levels in rivers and reservoirs are replenishing due to the recent wet weather.

The report also warns that many groundwater sources could remain low and under stress for the rest of the year.

The EA says it expects water companies to continue working with customers to save water and to keep hosepipe bans in place until they are sure water supplies are secure.

Peter Simpson, Managing Director of Anglian Water, said: “The possibility of a warm summer and a third dry winter is still a concern for our region.

“The very wet few weeks we experienced in April followed two exceptionally dry years, and most importantly, two dry winters.

“It was following this prolonged dry period that we introduced the hosepipe ban [on April 5], and it was not a decision we took lightly. It was an essential step to safeguard water supplies for this year, and next.

“That long, dry spell left water levels in reservoirs, rivers and underground aquifers significantly below normal – and in some cases historically low.

“April’s downpours and May’s average rainfall went quite some way towards replenishing supplies, particularly in our reservoirs. But as the Environment Agency’s report highlights, some groundwater reserves remain under stress.

Water level in Lincoln rose due to continued rainfall in April, when the EA issued flood alerts and an area at St Catherine’s Grove was flooded with up to 1ft of water.

Peter Simpson explained almost half of the water Anglian Water puts into supply comes from groundwater sources, particularly in the east of the region.

“The full impact of the recent rain on these sources remains to be seen, largely because our aquifers refill naturally and more slowly,” he said.

“We don’t want to keep the hosepipe ban in place for a day longer than we have to, and we’re keeping the situation under constant review. However, restrictions remain in place for now.

“We are also continuing to do what we can; tackling leaks and investing in schemes to improve the storage and movement of water around our network.”

Source: Anglian Water | Photo