WELSH Water says it has no intentions to introduce water restrictions this summer, such as a hosepipe ban, despite the UK enduring the driest spring in over 100 years.
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has thanked its Mid and West Wales customers for helping protect water supplies this summer, confirming that most of its reservoirs are in a healthy position.
With four water companies across England implementing hosepipe bans over the past fortnight, Welsh Water has confirmed that it has no plans to date to do the same.
The company has been identifying and fixing around 700 leaks every week across the water network, with its teams also working around the clock to ensure there’s enough water supply to meet demand at peak times.
Ian Christie, managing director of water services at Welsh Water, said: “We’re thankful to everyone who has played their part by using a little less water and we’re asking customers to continue to do their bit. Even small changes can make a big difference.
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“We are doing everything we can to avoid introducing restrictions. Our teams are working tirelessly to manage the situation, and we’re asking our customers to join us in using water responsibly. Every drop saved helps protect water supplies for the area.
“We’ve also heard from lots of our customers who tell us that they have already made changes to reduce their water use to help protect the environment, which has been great to see.
“While we might not need a hosepipe ban just yet, we are monitoring the situation closely.”
In June, Welsh Water declared a ‘developing drought’ status for the mid and south Ceredigion water network, which includes parts of north Carmarthenshire and north Pembrokeshire.
Over the past few months, a programme of accelerated leakage repairs has seen 830 repairs within Ceredigion. Alongside this, customer efforts to save water has helped reservoir levels in the Mid Wales area to recover slightly over the past six weeks.
However, between March and June, there has been only around 56 per cent of the long-term average rainfall, which hasn’t been enough to make a substantial difference to reservoir levels.
The Teifi Pools reservoirs, west of the Elan Valley’s Claerwen reservoir in Powys, which serve the area, are currently 28 per cent lower than this time last year.
While no restrictions are currently in place, the company has ramped up action to manage customer demand and protect water supplies.
Treatment works are operating at increased capacity to maintain reservoir levels and meet peak summer demand.
In the West Wales distribution area, Welsh Water’s Cartref team – which helps customers become more water efficient – has significantly increased its activity in the area since April, with nearly 500 customer appointments and visits, which includes identifying leaky loos and water efficiency engagements in homes and businesses across the county.
The company has also been communicating with business owners across Wales and Herefordshire to help share water efficiency messages, with customers being encouraged to use water wisely, and provide practical tips and tools available online to help reduce unnecessary usage.
Welsh Water continues to work closely with Natural Resources Wales, the Welsh Government and local stakeholders to monitor conditions and respond swiftly to any changes.
Natural Resources Wales has confirmed that north west Wales has returned to ‘prolonged dry weather’ status, but there are currently no concerns with water supplies for the area.
For the latest updates and water-saving advice, visit dwrcymru.com/drought.
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