Cumbria reservoirs remain well below average despite rainfall

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 05:58 · Archive

Two of Cumbria's major reservoirs are 42.5 per cent full, more than 20 percentage points below seasonal average.

Two of Cumbria's most important water sources remain well below average despite recent rainfall. According to United Utilities, the Haweswater and Thirlmere reservoir group was 42.5 per cent full in the week ending 4 October, compared with an average of 64.1 per cent for that time of year. Storage at the reservoir group increased slightly by 0.2 percentage points over the previous week but remains more than 20 percentage points below the seasonal average.

The picture across Cumbria is mixed. Reservoirs serving the Carlisle area were 92.3 per cent full, above the average level of 90 per cent for early October. Pennine Sources reservoirs stood at 51.9 per cent full, compared with a seasonal average of 71.5 per cent. Across the whole United Utilities network, reservoir storage was 52.3 per cent full, significantly below the average of 73.2 per cent for this point in the year.

The broader picture shows water stress across England. The Environment Agency reported that reservoir storage across England has continued to fall, reaching 54 per cent nationally, which is 21 percentage points below average for the time of year. Water levels at Thirlmere were 6.49 metres below top water level.

The Environment Agency said further significant rainfall is needed in many areas to return water resources to normal conditions. United Utilities publishes reservoir storage figures weekly to track water stocks across the North West.

How it is being reported

• Cumbria reservoir levels remain below average despite recent rainfallReservoir levels at two of Cumbria's most important water sources remain well below average despite recent rainfall, according to the latest figures from United UtilitiesCumberland News · 13 Oct, 05:00
• Cumbria reservoir levels remain below average despite recent rainfallReservoir levels at two of Cumbria's most important water sources remain well below average despite recent rainfall, according to the latest figures from United UtilitiesWestmorland Gazette · 13 Oct, 05:00
• Cumbria reservoir levels remain below average despite recent rainfallReservoir levels at two of Cumbria's most important water sources remain well below average despite recent rainfall, according to the latest figures from United UtilitiesWhitehaven News · 13 Oct, 05:00
• Cumbria reservoir levels remain below average despite recent rainfallReservoir levels at two of Cumbria's most important water sources remain well below average despite recent rainfall, according to the latest figures from United UtilitiesNW Evening Mail · 13 Oct, 05:00

In this story: United Utilities · Environment Agency · Haweswater · Thirlmere · Cumbria · Carlisle

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