Half-full reservoirs prompt plea over water use

The dry banks of Chew Valley Lake, a key reservoir south of Bristol

Households across the West of England are being urged to conserve water following the declaration of a "nationally significant incident" due to dry weather.

The areas served by Wessex Water, Bristol Water and Thames Water are among the regions of England considered by the government to be in a "prolonged dry weather" phase – one level below a drought.

Wessex Water's reservoirs are on average 57% full. Bristol Water's four main reservoirs, including Chew Valley Lake, are only 46% full on average – the figure was 69% a year ago.

All three companies are urging their customers to "use water wisely".

The National Drought Group, which comprises representatives from organisations including the Environment Agency, Met Office, water firms and regulators, made the declaration of a nationally significant water shortfall after meeting on Monday.

Five regions in England, mainly in the North, have drought status.

The National Drought Group's chairwoman, Helen Wakeham, said it was calling on "everyone to play their part and help reduce the pressure on our water environment" following six months of below-average rainfall.

Bristol Water said it did not have plans for a hosepipe ban but was monitoring the situation closely.

"Small actions – like taking shorter showers or using a watering can instead of a hose – can all add up," a spokesman said.

The company said it had been investing in major leakage reductions, which was "already having an impact", and had given thousands of customers free water-saving devices.

Crammer Pond in Devizes, Wiltshire, has lost water in recent weeks

A spokesperson for Wessex Water, which serves Wiltshire, Somerset, Bristol, Bath and parts of Gloucestershire, also said there were no current plans for a hosepipe ban.

Thames Water, which put a hosepipe ban in place in July, said "persistent and prolonged wet weather" was needed.

The company takes water from the River Thames to refill its Farmoor reservoir, which it uses to supply households in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

But it says that "it is crucial" to take less water "out of the Thames when the river level is low".

Smaller bodies of water are being affected as well as larger reservoirs.

In Devizes, Wiltshire, Crammer Pond has lost a significant amount of water in the dry weather.