** NOTICE OF TEMPORARY USE BAN **
Summer 2023 Water Restrictions Review – 05 Sep 2023
The current hosepipe ban was today reviewed by the water company’s Chief Engineer & Regulatory Advisor:
Although rainfall in August was within 80% of the monthly average, the latest weather forecast indicates an upcoming period of little or no rain. The decision has therefore been made that the ban on the use of hosepipes should continue for the time being.
It may seem to many that rainfall volumes are the only factor to consider regarding water restrictions. Plenty of rain means lots of water for us all to use, doesn’t it? This is only partially true. Although sustained rainfall is important, some of our customers will also be aware that the water company is restricted to the amount of water it can extract from the aquifer. The Environment Agency impose a limit on the company and given we live in a ‘water stressed’ area, there is no room for negotiation. In fact, if the company were to exceed its extraction limit, it would be heavily fined.
Shortly before the current restriction on hose pipes was put in place, the company was running very close to it’s extraction limit. Since the ban was put in place, we have returned to more manageable levels. We believe this has now stabilised but the last thing we want to do is to lift the ban only to find that we have to put it back in place again a week or two later.
However, the situation will now be reviewed weekly with the intention to lift restrictions as soon as we can.
Water is becoming an increasingly precious commodity worldwide and we thank all our customer’s for their help to conserve our local supply.
Hosepipes, Irrigation Systems & Swimming/Paddling Pools
A temporary ban on use will be in place as of
Tuesday 11th July 2023
WATER RESRICTION MEASURES: KEY POINTS
- Water demand has increased by over 30% of the normal summer usage during the last 6 weeks
- It has been over 7 weeks since the area has had any significant rainfall
- June 2023 was the driest in the UK since 1940
Over the past year, we have further increased the resources we apply to the detection and repairing of leaks around our network ahead of what is forecasted to be another hot summer for the UK. As we move into July, and with demand remaining high, we have taken the decision to put in place a ban on the use of hosepipes including irrigation systems. The company has always operated a total ban on the use of sprinklers.
The filling and topping up of above ground temporary swimming and paddling pools is also included in the ban.
We appreciate this may inconvenience some our customers. The decision has been made as a pro active measure to help us remain within the terms of our abstraction licence and of course, to preserve as much water as possible over the summer period, reducing the risk of further restrictions being required later on.
Water Saving Tips can be found on our website: https://www.choldertonwater.co.uk/water-supply-updates
The temporary ban will reviewed regularly and removed as soon as demand decreases to reasonable levels.
Thank you to all our customers for your ongoing support and help protecting what has globally become a very precious commodity.
