Hosepipe ban in place for Anglian Water and Affinity users in Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is facing a hosepipe ban by two water companies as the third heatwave of the year puts pressure on water supplies.
Anglian Water’s temporary water restriction will be enforceable from 1am on Saturday (July 11).
But Anglian Water is asking customers to “live within the spirit of these restrictions immediately” – meaning no using hosepipes to water gardens, wash cars or patios or fill swimming or paddling pools.
Anglian Water says the ban follows months of prolonged dry weather, warm temperatures and three successive heat waves.
Affinity Water has also brought forward its ban – originally due to start on Friday, July 17 – meaning it is also now in effect.
People registered on the Priority Services Register, those who get support through the WaterSure tariff and Blue Badge holders, are exempt and can use their water as usual.
The Environment Agency reported this week that the majority of rivers across the region served by Anglian Water are below normal in terms of flow after only 39 per cent of the expected rain fell this spring.
Anglian Water’s reservoirs are also less full than usual for this time of year, with storage levels dropping quicker than expected
Dr Geoff Darch, head of strategic asset planning for Anglian Water said: “This year has been exceptionally hot and dry and we're already into the third heatwave of the summer.
"Understandably customers have wanted to stay cool and have fun in the sun, and our teams are working 24/7 to keep taps flowing across the region, but the unrelenting conditions are placing the environment and water supplies under increasing strain.
"Every day of sustained hot weather increases the challenge of balancing supply and demand, and we are now at the point where we need to ask customers to help by hanging up the hosepipe, letting lawns go brown, cars go dirty and using water even more wisely to help protect the environment and ensure water remains available for all customers.”
He continued: “We recognise fixing leaks is one of the most important things to our customers, and we have one of the lowest leakage levels in the UK as a result of years of focus in this area, recognising the dry region we serve. Nonetheless, we’ve upped the teams working on this throughout the spring.”
There will be a small number of exceptions from the ban to protect jobs, livelihoods and those who are most vulnerable.
Customers can still water their gardens and grow their own fruit and vegetables if they use a watering can instead of a hose or sprinkler.
At present, the ban will only apply to the domestic use of hosepipes for things like gardening, washing cars and windows, and filling paddling pools or hot tubs. And while the ban can’t be applied to commercial customers businesses are being urged to do their bit too.
Stephen Plumb, asset strategy and capital delivery director at Affinity Water, said: "We don't take a decision like this lightly, but with demand for water use at unprecedented levels, we need to act now to protect supplies, for our customers, especially those who are most vulnerable, for the communities we serve, and for the environment.
“We know a hosepipe ban is disruptive, and we apologise for the inconvenience this will cause. We would like to thank customers for their support so far this summer and for working with us to help protect our water supply.”
> This article was updated on July 13 after Affinity Water brought forward its hosepipe ban.