Reservoir levels rise for first time since January

Yorkshire's reservoir levels have increased for the first time since January

Water levels in Yorkshire's reservoirs have increased for the first time since January following recent rainfall, according to Yorkshire Water.

The company said the region had experienced its driest and warmest spring on record, with only 6ins (15cm) of rainfall between February and June - less than half of what would be expected in an average year.

Since July, more than five million householders in Yorkshire have been barred from using hosepipes for activities such as watering the garden, washing the car or cleaning windows.

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said the restrictions on water use would continue "until reservoirs have recovered over the autumn and into winter".

According to an update issued on Tuesday, Yorkshire's reservoir stocks increased by 0.2% to 30.8% in the seven days to Monday.

'Long way to go'

Dave Kaye, Yorkshire Water's director of water services, said heavy rainfall on Monday afternoon and into Tuesday morning had not yet been taken into account, but would contribute to the improved situation.

Mr Kaye welcomed the increased rainfall, but warned there was still "a long way to go to get our reservoir levels back to where they need to be".

"Reservoirs are still the lowest they have ever been for this time of year, and we need this wet weather to continue throughout the autumn and winter," he explained.

Mr Kaye said demand for water from customers was down 10% in response to the company's request for households to save on their consumption.

The company was also "working hard" to reduce leaks after it emerged that more than a fifth of its supplies was lost due to leakage, he added.

"We've accelerated our response to leaks since the implementation of the hosepipe ban – completing repairs 33% faster, on average," Mr Kaye said.

The restrictions on water use, now in their third month, came after Yorkshire Water increased bills by almost 30% in April.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.