Hose pipe bans for two more areas
Monday, 03 Apr 2006 09:36
Gardeners will have to find alternative ways to keep their flowers watered
Hose pipe bans have come into effect in two more water company areas today, taking the number of companies imposing bans to seven.
Thames Water and Three Valleys Water are the latest to implement restrictions, which mean gardeners will have to find alternative ways to keep their gardens watered.
It is the first time in 15 years that both companies have had to announce a ban, which will continue indefinitely and also includes garden sprinklers and irrigations systems.
The bans follow seventeen months of below average rainfall in the south-east, which have led to very low reservoir and groundwater levels, and below normal river flows.
Three Valleys said the ban was essential to prevent water supply problems if next winter proves to be as dry as the previous two.
"That is why we are introducing a hosepipe ban at this stage and are asking our customers to be sensible in their use of water," said Three Valleys Water's managing director Peter Darby.
"We feel this is a wise approach at this time and will help to avoid possible supply problems further down the line."
Jeremy Pelczer, chief executive of Thames Water, said: "By taking this step now, we will lessen the likelihood of more stringent restrictions later – but much still depends on how much rainfall we receive in the coming weeks."
But water companies have been criticised for failing to do enough to prevent leakages from their pipes.
As much as 3.6 billion litres of water is lost each day in England and Wales due to leakages – equivalent to the amount of water that flows over Niagara Falls in three-quarters of an hour, according to research by uSwitch.
The following companies have hosepipe bans in place:
Folkestone & Dover Water
Mid-Kent Water
Southern Water
South East Water (Sussex and Kent)
Sutton and East Surrey Water
Thames Water
Three Valleys Water
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