Severn Trent Water is urging customers to reduce their water use after a dry spring and hot June left reservoir levels across the region significantly lower than normal.
With another spell of hot weather forecast and little rain expected in the coming week, the company says the situation is being closely monitored — and while a hosepipe ban isn’t currently planned, it remains a possibility if usage doesn’t ease.
According to the company, most counties across its network saw just 50% of their usual rainfall in June, with Staffordshire receiving as little as 37%. As a result, Tittesworth Reservoir, which supplies north Staffordshire, has dropped to just 56% of its normal capacity.
Severn Trent spokesperson Tony Larner urged customers to take simple steps to conserve water:
“Everyone can play a part in stopping a hosepipe ban from happening,” he said. “We’ve got eight million customers and if they all followed these tips, we wouldn’t have any issues.”
Among the suggestions:
- Turn off the tap while brushing teeth
- Take shorter showers
- Fix dripping taps
- Keep a jug of water in the fridge instead of running the tap for cold water
- Avoid watering the garden daily — most plants will recover quickly when it rains again
Mr Larner added that water use has surged in places like Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford and Leek during the recent hot spell.
Severn Trent said it had reduced its own leaks by 16% over the last five years, but stressed that everyone needs to be “water wise” to help ensure supplies keep up with demand.
The utility company serves a large part of central England and mid Wales, including Solihull, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Warwickshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and parts of Staffordshire, Shropshire and Gloucestershire.
Despite reservoirs currently averaging 71% of their normal levels, the company warned that continued dry conditions could lead to further pressure on supplies in the weeks ahead.