Hosepipe ban lastly lifted from final summer season

A hosepipe ban affecting 1000’s of households in England has lastly been lifted greater than a yr after it was imposed.

South West Water, which has 1.8 million prospects, imposed restrictions in Devon and Cornwall final yr however axed them on 25 September.

In a letter despatched to prospects, the corporate stated water-saving efforts and “current rainfall” meant that its sources have been now in a “rather more secure” place.

SWW, which additionally covers components of Somerset and Dorset, thanked residents for his or her “ongoing assist”.

The water firm introduced a “short-term” ban on hosepipes in August 2022, proscribing households’ capacity to water their gardens and wash their automobiles.

Companies and farmers have been exempt.

The ban was enforced after drought was formally declared in eight areas of England in a baking sizzling summer season.

Hosepipe bans have been launched by a number of different water firms over the previous two years amid extraordinarily dry circumstances.

South East Water imposed restrictions in Kent and Sussex amid hovering demand for water in June.

The agency stated on the time that regardless of offering an additional 120 million litres of water a day, demand in June broke information, together with from the Covid lockdown heatwave.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Southern Water and Yorkshire Water additionally launched bans however these have since been lifted, on 25 October 2022, 4 November 2022 and 6 December 2022 respectively.

Though the hosepipe scenario throughout the UK has improved, residents in some areas proceed to expertise provide points and water firms have just lately come below fireplace for his or her poor efficiency.

Earlier this week regulator Ofwat advised water firms to pay out a web complete of £114 million to billpayers after failing to fulfill key targets on lowering air pollution, leakage and provide interruptions whereas buyer satisfaction continued to fall.

On Thursday morning Southern Water was pressured to open a bottled water station at Rye Station, East Sussex after residents there have been left with no water or provide points.

“We’re sorry for the continued disruption and misery that is inflicting,” the corporate stated on its web site.

Earlier in September faculties have been pressured to close because of provide points in components of West London. Thames Water apologised for the outage which was brought on by an influence provide problem that was resolved later that day.