Northumbrian Water is not expecting to introduce restrictions on water use, despite transferring water from the Tyne to the Wear for the first time in 16 years as the dry spell continues.
The ongoing dry spell has led to hosepipe bans being announced as far north as Yorkshire, while drought has been declared in parts of the South West, parts of southern and central England, and the East of England. This summer has been England's driest for 50 years, and in some parts the driest on record.
Three water companies – Welsh Water, Southern Water, and South East Water – have all imposed hosepipe bans, while Yorkshire Water has announced a ban will start on August 26 and Thames Water is planning one in the coming weeks.
Read more: Northumbrian Water does not expect to call for a hosepipe ban
But in the North East, Northumbrian Water, which supplies Northumberland, County Durham and Tyne and Wear, including the cities of Newcastle, Durham and Sunderland, does not expect to bring in restrictions on water use.
Keith Haslett, Water Director at Northumbrian Water, said “We are not anticipating the need for any restrictions on water usage this summer, however we are keeping a close watch on the situation and our teams are planning ahead for the rest of summer into Autumn, as the winter recharge will be important.
“As an environmentally responsible company, we are monitoring and carefully managing the resources we take from the environment and to help protect the region, we are encouraging our customers to use water wisely and preserve precious resources where they can. The smallest changes really do make the biggest difference.
“The teams are working incredibly hard to make sure that our reservoirs can recover over the autumn period, and this will help us to ensure that we can keep the water flowing for customers throughout winter and into next year.”
What is a hosepipe ban?
Water customers subject to hosepipe bans are banned from using a hosepipe to water their gardens, clean their vehicles, fill their swimming pools or water fountains, clean patios or any artificial outdoor surfaces, clean a private leisure boat, or clean the windows and walls of their homes.
A “hosepipe” means anything designed, adapted or used to serve the same purpose as a hosepipe. This means garden sprinklers and most irrigation systems, connected to the mains water supply, are all considered to be hosepipes, together with anything attached to them like pressure washers.
Watering cans are allowed for garden work. Basically, people can not use a pipe - or substitute for a pipe - that is hooked up to the mains water supply Those caught breaking the rules can be fined £1,000
Why hasn't Northumbrian Water had to introduce a hosepipe ban?
Northumbrian Water says demand is high and levels are lower than usual in its reservoirs. The North East has experienced just 12% of its average level of rainfall for August, PA news has reported, and demand for water is up by 20%, Northumbrian Water says.
Despite that, the region has not been as dry as other parts of England. Some have had 0% of their average rainfall so for August so far this month.
Northumbrian Water says there are "enough water resources in the North East for the long term", thanks in part to Northumberland having the largest man-made reservoir in the UK, Kielder Water. It holds 200,000 megalitres and can transfer water to the Tyne, Wear and Tees thanks to the Tyne-Wear Transfer schemes, which are a series of pumping stations and tunnels.
In order to maintain the health of the region’s rivers, Transfer Scheme is moving around 30 million litres of water per day from Kielder reservoir into the River Wear. The water diversion, which started on Thursday, is the first between the Tyne and Wear in 16 years.
Northumbrian Water adds: "In addition to Kielder, we have many other impounding upland reservoirs which store water in the winter for use in the summer. Our fantastic teams work incredibly hard all year round to keep the water flowing for customers.
"Nevertheless, it's still really important for us all to use water wisely so we can leave as much water in the environment as possible."
Why are hosepipe bans rare in the North East?
Hosepipe bans are rarer in the North East - Northumbrian Water did not introduce one in 2018 when other companies did - because the region is cooler and has more rainfall than other parts of the country. Those factors, in addition to Northumberland and County Durham's reservoir capacity, mean restrictions are not required as often.
How do use water wisely
Northumbrian Water has tips for saving water in the summer, in gardens and homes:
- Turning off the tap when brushing your teeth can save six litres of water. Teaching children too can save around 24 litres of water a day.
- Stay hydrated by keeping a jug of water in the fridge so you've plenty of cool and refreshing water to hand, without having to keep the tap running.
- Use a bowl when washing up by hand instead of running the tap. This can save 18 litres of water and use a bowl when washing fruit and vegetables.
- Use a watering can instead of a hose or sprinkler and water plants in the in the evening or first thing in the morning, as sun and wind can take away moisture.
- If the paddling pool is out, don't fill it to the top and let it spill over. You could save 30 litres of water for every inch, that's enough water for a family of four to drink in a week! And once you're done, why not use the water from your pool to water your plants?
- Water your plants, fruit and veg first thing in morning before sun gets too high in the sky. Not only does this minimise the risk of burning any leaves, but it also means you are wasting less water too.
- Never leave your sprinkler on overnight. It is counter-productive because when it's wet and dark, it will encourage snails and slugs to come out and they will eat your plants. A spinkler left running use between 500 and 1,000 litres of water an hour.
- Use a straw mulch on top of your plants as it retains moisture and stops the soil drying out quickly. This can be bought from a garden centre.
- Don't water your grass. It has the magic power of going to sleep when it becomes very dry, unlike most other plants and it will come alive when moisture levels increase. Rainwater is also much more nutritious than tap water as it contains nitrogen that boosts growth. Plus, over-watering encourages weed growth.
- Use a watering can instead of a hose pipe to water your plants and hanging baskets. A hose can use enough water to fill twelve baths every hour.
- When the kids have finished playing in the paddling pool, reuse it to water your flowerbeds.
- Install a water butt in your garden or use drip trays to catch water and use the stored rainwater in your garden
Head here for more information from Northumbrian Water about how to use water wisely.
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