Water restrictions to remain despite rainfall rise

Yorkshire Water says the region's reservoir stocks are replenishing, but at different rates

Yorkshire Water says water levels in the region's reservoirs have increased after a spell of wet weather.

However, reservoirs in the Washburn Valley and Nidderdale in North Yorkshire, and those in Calderdale and Kirklees in West Yorkshire, were filling up faster than those around Sheffield because of variations in rainfall, the company said.

David Kaye, the firm's director of water services, said overall levels "remain well below average for this time of the year", with a hosepipe ban still in place.

The latest figures were taken on Monday, with further heavy rainfall experienced across the region on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Overall reservoir levels across the region had increased to 65.3% - up from 60.6% the previous week, the company said.

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.

Mr Kaye said water levels were expected to remain below average "for some months to come given the extent of the dry, hot weather in the first half of the year".

"Until we have sufficient recovery across all reservoirs, the hosepipe restrictions will remain in place," he added.

According to Yorkshire Water, the most recent levels are:

• Reservoirs in the Washburn Valley – 60%

• Nidderdale – 73%

• Calderdale and Kirklees – 74%

• Sheffield – 51%

Meanwhile, groundwater levels in the Hull aquifer remain lower than normal for this time of year at 38.2%.

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