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Drought prompts hosepipe ban in northwest England
Source: Agencies |
July 7, 2010, Wednesday
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DROUGHT prompts hosepipe ban in northwest England
Unusually dry weather in the northwest of England has prompted a hosepipe ban to be introduced in the area for the first time in 14 years.
United Utilities, which supplies water to the region, said the ban was needed to help "safeguard essential supplies".
It comes into force on Friday and applies to the use of hosepipes or sprinklers for watering private gardens and washing private cars.
Anybody caught flouting the ban faces a fine of up to 1,000 pounds (US$ 1,510).
The region has recorded its driest start to the year since 1929 and water levels in many reservoirs and lakes have plummeted to less than half their capacity.
Despite spells of rain over recent weeks, supply levels have failed to sufficiently increase.
"Despite some recent rainfall in the north of the region, reservoir levels are still significantly lower than we would expect at this time of year and are now at a point where we need to impose some temporary restrictions on our customers," said John Sanders, United Utilities Water Regulation Manager.
"It is not a decision we have taken lightly, but a hosepipe can use as much water in an hour as a family of four would use in one day."
The company issued warnings about the possibility of restrictions last month when it applied to the Environment Agency for a drought permit.
Unusually dry weather in the northwest of England has prompted a hosepipe ban to be introduced in the area for the first time in 14 years.
United Utilities, which supplies water to the region, said the ban was needed to help "safeguard essential supplies".
It comes into force on Friday and applies to the use of hosepipes or sprinklers for watering private gardens and washing private cars.
Anybody caught flouting the ban faces a fine of up to 1,000 pounds (US$ 1,510).
The region has recorded its driest start to the year since 1929 and water levels in many reservoirs and lakes have plummeted to less than half their capacity.
Despite spells of rain over recent weeks, supply levels have failed to sufficiently increase.
"Despite some recent rainfall in the north of the region, reservoir levels are still significantly lower than we would expect at this time of year and are now at a point where we need to impose some temporary restrictions on our customers," said John Sanders, United Utilities Water Regulation Manager.
"It is not a decision we have taken lightly, but a hosepipe can use as much water in an hour as a family of four would use in one day."
The company issued warnings about the possibility of restrictions last month when it applied to the Environment Agency for a drought permit.
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