Cornwall's water supplier seeing 'extremely high demand' and lower reservoir levels
It comes amid growing fears a drought could hit parts of England in August
Last updated 26th Jul 2022
Cornwall's water supplier say they are seeing extremely high levels of demand and reservoir levels are lower than usual.
South West Water says it has no immediate plans to implement water restrictions but it is urging people to think about their usage.
Figures show the current reservoir storage level in the region is at 59.6%
It comes as experts fear parts of the country could see a drought in August if the hot, dry weather continues.
Today (26th July) the Environment Agency convened the National Drought Group, made up of senior decision makers from Environment Agency, government, water companies, Water UK, the NFU and environmental protection groups including the Angling Trust and Rivers Trust.
The group discussed the current situation and agreed actions to protect water resources and the environment in the UK in the weeks ahead.
Following Tuesday’s meeting, the National Drought Group’s members agreed to continue to work closely together to monitor and manage the current situation, including convening the National Drought Group’s water supply and communications sub-groups.
A South West Water spokesperson said: “While we have no immediate plans to implement water restrictions, the long period of unprecedented hot and dry weather we are experiencing means we are constantly reviewing our position and the extremely high levels of demand we are seeing.
“Overall our reservoir levels are lower than usual for this time of year and river levels are below normal across the region.
“We always ask customers to think about their water usage and we are now urging customers to avoid non-essential water use such as filling paddling pools and using a hosepipe in the garden and for washing cars.
“There are some very easy ways to save water and we are sharing some top tips at www.southwestwater.co.uk/advice-and-services/save-water/save-5-litres/”
Harvey Bradshaw, Environment Agency executive director for the environment and chair of the NDG, said:
“While last week’s extreme high temperatures are now behind us and there are currently no plans for restrictions on essential water use, we can all do our bit by reducing unnecessary water consumption and following advice from our water company to ensure this remains the case whilst our rivers are exceptionally low.
“We are working very closely with water companies, farmers and other water users to manage the current situation. Today’s meeting was an important step in agreeing joint actions to protect our water resources with further dry weather forecasted for August, including ever-closer working to monitor and manage water supplies and the environment.
“Environment Agency teams are doing brilliant work across the country monitoring river levels and responding to environmental incidents, as well as enacting the early stages of our drought plans in many parts of England to protect people’s access to water and preserve the environment.”
Stuart Colville, Water UK Director of Policy, said
“Ongoing warm weather in much of the country follows the driest winter and spring since the 1970s.
“Water companies have detailed plans in place to manage water resources for customers and the environment, and are doing everything they can, including working closely with government and regulators, to minimise the need for any restrictions and ensure rivers continue to flow.
“As we continue to see extremely high demand, we are urging everyone to carefully consider the amount they are using given the unprecedented conditions. The water industry is running a national water saving campaign called Water’s Worth Saving that provides the public with helpful hints and tips on how to do their bit with water use in the home and garden.”
What is the current situation?
Regulators and water companies are working together closely to manage water levels and take action where needed, including activating different levels of well-established dry weather plans in the most affected areas.
Most of England has moved into ‘Prolonged Dry Weather’ status – meaning the EA is now taking precautionary actions to mitigate impacts as hydrological conditions deteriorate and enhancing its monitoring and protection of water resources, along with the water companies.
Nowhere in England is currently considered to be ‘in drought’ and most water companies are maintaining good reservoir storage for summer demand. If further measures are required, temporary use bans (more commonly known as hosepipe bans) will be determined by individual water companies and drought permits and drought orders by the Environment Agency and Defra respectively.
However, recent abnormally high temperatures have exacerbated conditions resulting from lower-than-normal rainfall so far this year in many parts of England. With the Met Office forecasting potentially several more dry weeks ahead, particularly in the South and East of the country, the EA and water companies are now enacting the early stages of their well-rehearsed and publicly available drought plans and calling on everyone to do their bit in managing water use.
This will become even more vital in the future as we continue to adapt to a changing climate. Projections show that, by 2050, some rivers could have between 50 and 80 percent less water during the summer and summer temperatures are set to be up to 7.4 degrees hotter.