United Utilities has scrapped the hosepipe ban, which was due to come into force across the North West from Saturday, following the recent rainfall.
In a statement on their website, the water supplier said the slightly cooler temperatures and recent rainfall have eased the demand for water, meaning there’s no need to introduce any restrictions at this time.
But don’t get too excited, Water Services Director, Dr Martin Padley has warned that we’re heading towards a dry Autumn and there’s every chance of future bans being imposed.
We’re pleased to say that the hosepipe ban due to start on the 5th August has been called off. The recent rainfall has gone some way to helping with water supplies. Read our full update here https://t.co/64b776ALIh #2018WaterWatch
— United Utilities (@unitedutilities) 2 August 2018
He said:
“We would like to thank all of our customers who have helped in recent weeks by saving water wherever they can around the home and in the garden.
“Given the improved position, helped by recent rainfall, we do not want to inconvenience customers unnecessarily at this time. However, the long-range forecast from the Met Office is one of relatively dry weather into the autumn, so future restrictions are still a possibility if more rain doesn’t arrive.
“In the meantime, we are continuing to step up our own response and over the coming weeks, you will see our teams out and about, bringing additional water supplies online and fixing even more leaks. We are working closely with the Environment Agency in monitoring the water resources situation and we still urge our customers to please help us by using water wisely where they can.”
The ban was announced last month in order to help safeguard water supplies after what was believed to have been the longest heatwave since 1976.
However, the proposition was met with anger after it was revealed that United Utilities was one of the worst water companies in terms of leaks.
Research from the GMB union showed that United Utilities were wasting 430 million litres of water every day from leakages.
Dr Padley said:
“Our leakage teams are working 24 hours a day to find and repair as many leaks as possible and we have been moving water around our network.
“We have also been making operational interventions such as the installation of new pumping stations, pumping between reservoirs, bringing groundwater sources into use and prioritising maintenance to help ensure supplies have not been interrupted during the prolonged hot spell.”
For more information visit the United Utilities website.