THE first hosepipe ban in three decades could be introduced if hot, dry weather continues, as farmers face a tough time in the fields with no real prospect of rain.
Severn Trent Water says a ban is not in place yet, but customers are being urged to use water “mindfully” to help avoid the first restrictions in 30 years.
The warning comes as Worcestershire farmers face pressure from prolonged dry conditions, with the National Farmers’ Union reporting that many are harvesting at night to cope with the heat and dry ground.
A spokesperson for Severn Trent said teams are working round the clock to treat extra water, move supplies across the network and fix leaks at record levels.
CONSERVE: Severn Trent Water is urging people to be mindful when using water but so far they have resisted the first hosepipe ban in 30 years (Image: Melanie Hobson (via Getty Images))
There are currently no restrictions in place for the Severn Trent region, but the company says a hosepipe ban could become necessary if hot and dry weather continues.
The spokesperson said: “We’re still seeing high demand for water, as people are using more water and for much longer throughout the day than usual.
“Our teams are working around the clock, treating more water, moving supplies across the region where it’s needed and fixing leaks at record levels, but we need customers’ help too.
“With the third heatwave and the prolonged dry weather ongoing, we would urge customers to help protect supplies by using water mindfully, to help us avoid the kind of restrictions we have not seen for 30 years at Severn Trent.”
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The company says even small changes in usage, such as swapping a sprinkler for a watering can, can make a significant difference.
A sprinkler uses about 1,000 litres of water per hour, roughly the same as a person’s total weekly usage.
While customers have so far avoided restrictions, Severn Trent says hot and dry weather continuing could lead to further measures.
Met Office say any rain is unlikely to be widespread
Greg Wolverson of the Met Office added: “Although there is a return to rain in the forecast, we have just come out of an exceptionally dry spell and the forecast rain is unlikely to be widespread or substantial. Many areas are likely to continue experiencing prevailing dry conditions for the foreseeable future, especially in southern England.”
Julian Godwin, deputy chair of the Worcestershire branch of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), said: “We are all flat out at the moment with the combines rolling and with the heat and dry ground conditions we are seriously considering how we bring in this year’s harvest.
“Many are now bailing later when it is cooler and we are also combining during the evenings and through the night to get the work done to feed the country.”
He added: “This year some areas where have seen exceptionally low rainfall over the spring and summer, creating real difficulties for farm businesses.
“As a group, we are all busy monitoring yield and crop conditions and will know more on this year’s harvest outcome as it progresses.”
He also called for more support from government to improve resilience against increasingly unpredictable weather.
