Yorkshire summer hosepipe ban 'very unlikely'

Yorkshire Water said reservoirs had returned to near capacity

A hosepipe ban in Yorkshire this summer is unlikely, Yorkshire Water has said.

The utility firm brought in a ban during the drought of 2022, when an emergency pipeline was needed to keep supplies going.

However, it has said reservoirs in the region were now 95% full after a wet start to the year.

Dave Kaye, the firm's director of Water Service, said: "I can't guarantee there will be no water restrictions [this year], but it's very, very, unlikely."

By the end of January, the UK had already seen 89% of the average rainfall for the winter season across the country.

A hosepipe ban was introduced in August 2022 following months of low rainfall

Reservoirs have now returned to near capacity but the company said extreme weather made it hard to plan ahead.

"I'm confident we won't impose restrictions but I can't guarantee it," said Mr Kaye.

"It would be irresponsible given the climate variability and the change in climate we've seen over recent years."

However, he said reservoir levels were 9.7% higher than they were in 2022, adding: "Ground water levels are 16% higher, and the area where we had problems in West Yorkshire's Worth Valley the reservoir levels are at 100%."