28/06/2005 - Despite recent
thunderstorms, the Environment Agency warns
that if the dry weather continues and water
demand does not reduce, more water companies
will need to impose water supply restrictions
such as sprinkler and hosepipe bans.
The South East of England has had the driest
winter since 1976. The region has experienced
eight consecutive months of below average
rainfall. A dry spring followed by a hot dry
start to summer has resulted in low groundwater,
river and reservoir levels.
Of the eight water companies* in the South
East of England two have imposed water restrictions.
More will follow if the weather stays dry
in order to maintain supplies through the
summer and avoid more serious water shortages
later this year or next summer.
Howard Davidson, Regional Director for the
Environment Agency in the South said:
"We are working closely with the water
companies to manage the impact of the current
drought on the public and the environment
- as people use more water, more has to be
taken from the water environment. Where it
is appropriate and necessary we support water
companies imposing appropriate restrictions
to help safeguard future water supplies and
protect the environment.
"This month, we have only received 29
per cent of average rainfall in Kent, 17 per
cent in Sussex and 41 per cent in Hampshire.
There has been a high demand for water, placing
even greater pressure on this valuable resource.
We are urging the public to take note of advice
issued by the Environment Agency and water
companies to save water."
Everyone can contribute by taking simple
steps in the home, at work and in the garden.
There are a number of ways people can avoid
wasting water:
Limit non-essential use such as washing the
car.
Don’t water the lawn. It may turn brown,
but grass is resilient and it will grow back.
Garden sprinklers can use as much water in
an hour as a family of six uses in a day.
Install a water-saving device in the toilet
cistern. Between 30 and 40 per cent of household
water is flushed down the toilet, and installing
a volume reducer such as a ‘Hippo’ can make
substantial savings.
Take a five-minute daily shower instead of
a bath. This is likely to use a third of the
water, saving up to 400 litres a week.
Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth.
A running tap uses almost nine litres per
minute.
A dripping tap can waste up to 30 litres a
day – check all taps on basins, baths and
bidets for drips and replace washers as necessary.
Howard Davidson concluded, "We have
a difficult job this summer to ensure that
water companies are able to protect water
supply to homes and businesses and at the
same time protecting the environment. In a
situation such as this one, both the public
and the environment must share the difficulties.
Using water wisely will help significantly."
