Anglian Water says they have no plans to implement a hosepipe ban despite this morning’s announcement that the East of England was being moved into drought status.
Bedford Borough was moved into drought status after the National Drought Group discussed how the country should respond to the driest summer in fifty years.
Read: Bedford Borough officially in a drought says Environment Agency
This has created questions as to how Anglian Water, which provides homes and businesses with water across the region might restrict water use.
In a statement, Anglian Water has said that while the drought status “serves to underline the seriousness of the situation” they do not “envisage needing a hosepipe ban in our region this summer.”
Moving a region into drought status gives water companies additional powers to restrict non-essential water use, should it be necessary.
However, spokesperson for Anglian Water, Ciaran Nelson, said they’ve worked hard to try and avoid any restirctions in “the driest region in the country”.
“Over the last decade, we’ve spent hundreds of millions improving resilience,” he said.
“Schemes like a new water treatment works for Lincoln, massive engineering schemes that mean we can move water all the way from Rutland to Milton Keynes, and the creation of additional back-up supplies for Norwich, have all helped.”
Reservoirs across the region are said to be at 80%, which reduces pressure on underground aquifers which are currently just below average levels for this time of year.
Just 5% of the water used in the region comes directly from rivers.
Use water responsibly
While this news will be welcome to many, Anglian Water is still urging people to use water responsibly.
“We can’t ‘make more water’, so we must do all we can to look after what we have,” said Mr Nelson.
“Just because we don’t have a hosepipe ban, though, doesn’t mean people can be reckless with water. The less we and our customers use, the more can be left in the environment.
“We live in the driest part of the country: it makes sense to save water all the time.”
Forecasters predict the heatwave will last at least until the start of next week (15 August) and water companies will continue to monitor water usage and supply.
Mr Nelson adds, “we prepare detailed drought plans for scenarios just like this. If we reach the point of needing a hosepipe ban, we won’t hesitate to introduce one. But we’re not at that point right now.
“We should expect more summers like this in the future. That’s why we’re building a 400km, half-metre-wide pipe to bring water from the north of our region down to the dry south and east.
“It’s also why we’re planning for two new reservoirs, one in Lincolnshire and one in The Fens.
“I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to our customers for helping us make the East of England one of the most water efficient parts of the country.”
