For first time in 16 years, prepare for hosepipe ban in Leicestershire
Thursday, June 09, 2011
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Leicester Mercury
A hosepipe ban could be introduced in Leicestershire for the first time in 16 years after an exceptionally long spell of dry weather.
Severn Trent warned yesterday of an "increasing likelihood of water restrictions" unless the region had a large amount of rain soon.
The county's driest spring for decades and increased customer demand during the warm weather has left reservoirs 10 per cent lower than normal, and predictions of a sweltering summer mean there is likely to be even more pressure on water supplies.
A Severn Trent spokeswoman said the situation was under constant review and no decision had been taken.
However, she said: "The combination of the long dry spell and increased customer demand has put pressure on supply resources.
"We are looking at every option to conserve supplies."
Martin Kane, Severn Trent's customer relations director, said: "Reservoir levels across the region are currently around 10 per cent lower than they would normally be at this time of year. The weather in April and May was unusually dry.
"More rain isn't a popular idea but it's what we need, preferably spread over several days and weeks, so the reservoirs across the region can top up."
If Severn Trent does impose restrictions – the first since 1995 – residents would not be allowed to use hosepipes to water their gardens, clean their cars, fill swimming or paddling pools, fill ponds or ornamental fountains, or to clean walls, windows, paths or patios.
Businesses which need to use water would still be able to do so.
Leicester Mercury weatherman Dave Mutton said the county had just experienced its driest spring since his own records began in 1959.
"We only had 50mm of rain in March, April and May and we would normally expect 150mm, so we are well down on what we should be getting," he said.
"We've got a low pressure over us at the moment so we've had a few days of rain, but I'm still expecting hot weather during June, July and August."
Peter Kilworth, manager at Glebe Garden Centre, in Countesthorpe, said a hosepipe ban would be "bad news" for his industry.
"A hosepipe ban would certainly affect sales of plants, hosepipes and accessories," he said.
"If the weather is hot, we might sell more barbecues but most of our products are plant-related so it's going to be bad news for us."
David Beaty, of Medbourne Grange Farm, in Medbourne, near Market Harborough, said the lack of rain during the past few months could hit yields for its oil seed rape and barley crops.
But he said: "Severn Trent can't stop us watering our cattle or anything like that."
In its annual results to the end of March, Severn Trent admitted failing to hit its annual leakage target of 483 million litres per day agreed with the industry regulator Ofwat. Its actual leakage was 497 million litres per day.
A Severn Trent spokeswoman said the severe winter weather, with the coldest December for more than 100 years, had resulted in a series of leaks and burst pipes.
She said the company had plans in place to achieve its targets in 2011-12.
