Yorkshire Water has urged residents to limit their water use, as dry conditions continue across the region.
Following reports of the driest combined February, March and April for 90 years, the regional water supplier has warned that reservoir levels are around 14% lower than they should be at this time of year, as a result of Yorkshire’s water usage increasing by a whopping 80 million litres during the spring heatwave – enough to supply York and Harrogate for a day.
As May’s outlook continues to predict dry conditions, Yorkshire Water is urging customers to save water, providing tips to help residents make more mindful decisions. These include using a watering can instead of a hose to water plants more efficiently, turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, collecting cold water while waiting for the shower to warm up, and only washing clothes when you have a full load.
Andy Shaw, head of water production at Yorkshire Water, said: “With the warm weather forecast this week and a Bank Holiday coming up, we know people are more likely to be out enjoying their gardens, which often leads to an increase in water use.
“We always urge customers to use water wisely throughout the year, whatever the weather, and taking a few simple steps can help reduce usage and protect water supplies for the summer and beyond. There are a variety of simple steps people can take to ensure they are making the most of the weather and their garden but not dramatically increasing the amount of water they use.”
Dave Kaye, director of water at Yorkshire Water, said: “We are carefully managing water resources across the region by using our grid network to move water around and maintain supply, we’re investing £16m this year to reduce leakage as much as possible, and we’re fitting smart meters in customers’ homes to help them manage usage and detect leaks. Customers can also help us to conserve water and protect resources into the summer by making small changes at home.”
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