Essex and Suffolk Water keeps hosepipe ban despite recent rain

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 11:27 · Archive

Essex and Suffolk Water has maintained its hosepipe ban across the region despite recent rainfall, citing persistently low reservoir levels.

Essex and Suffolk Water has confirmed its Temporary Use Ban remains in place despite recent rainfall, citing prolonged dry weather and low reservoir levels across the region. The company thanked customers for their efforts to reduce consumption, saying water use has fallen by around seven per cent since the ban began.

Reservoir levels remain far below normal for the time of year. Just 30mm of rain fell across the region in September, leaving Essex's reservoirs 44 per cent full by the end of the month, well below the expected level. Kieran Ingram, water director at Essex and Suffolk Water, said that although the region has seen some rain recently, 'it will take a long period of significant rainfall before the situation improves'.

The Environment Agency has indicated the scale of the challenge ahead, saying the country needs around 120 per cent of average rainfall over the next seven months to recover fully from drought by next spring.

Mr Ingram urged customers to continue saving water through the autumn and winter months. He suggested practical steps including using water butts to capture rainfall for gardens, fixing dripping taps, and being mindful of everyday water use. He said the company's focus was on 'ensuring we're in the strongest possible position for next year'.

How it is being reported

• Hosepipe ban update issued by Essex and Suffolk after recent rainfallEssex and Suffolk Water confirms its hosepipe ban remains despite rain, as low reservoirs and drought prompt calls to save water.Echo (Basildon) · 12 Oct, 10:45
• Hosepipe ban update issued by Essex and Suffolk after recent rainfallEssex and Suffolk Water confirms its hosepipe ban remains despite rain, as low reservoirs and drought prompt calls to save water.Colchester Gazette · 12 Oct, 10:45
• Hosepipe ban update issued by Essex and Suffolk after recent rainfallEssex and Suffolk Water confirms its hosepipe ban remains despite rain, as low reservoirs and drought prompt calls to save water.Brentwood Guardian · 12 Oct, 10:45

In this story: Essex and Suffolk Water · Kieran Ingram · Essex · Environment Agency

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem