Yorkshire hosepipe restrictions could be lifted 'earlier than expected'

Hosepipe restrictions in Yorkshire could be lifted earlier than anticipated as reservoir levels recover following weeks of rainfall.

Yorkshire Water announced that reservoir levels are now at 84.6%, up from 80.5% last week, marking the tenth consecutive week of improvements.

Dave Kaye, Director of Water at Yorkshire Water, said: “We’re now confident that we’re moving into a healthy position across our reservoirs, rivers, and groundwater water sources after seeing further rainfall over the last seven days, and another significant jump in our reservoir levels."

“Restrictions are still in place for the time being, but we are working to lift them as soon as possible, hopefully within the next few weeks.

"This is earlier than we had originally thought possible, and it’s thanks to the water-saving actions of people in Yorkshire that we’re able to pull it forward.”

The improvement in water resources comes after heavy rainfall and the impact of Storm Claudia, which previously contributed to a record-breaking 15% increase in reservoir levels.

Yorkshire Water says it is now working with the Environment Agency to remove drought permits and other measures that were introduced to manage water resources during the drought.

Kaye added: “This can take a number of weeks, but we will not keep the restrictions in place any longer than is necessary.

“In the meantime, we will continue to monitor our resources and manage them carefully.

“Once again, we’d like to thank all of our customers for continuing to do what they can to save water throughout the restrictions.”

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