Plenty of water, but saving it gets a plug

Posted on June 23, 2005

Don't panic! The taps won't be runing dry in the Luton and Dunstable area this summer.

Despite fears of a national water shortage and looming hosepipe bans because of a continuing drought, the firm running the local water supply is confident that theu'll be able to keep supplies flowing.

Following one of the driest winters in 100 years, Southern Water have already had to introduce hose pip bans in the noth of Sussex, the first bans in nine years.

People living in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are also facing hosepipe bans after only 58 per cent of their average rainfall was recorded in the last seven months.

The team at Three Valleys Water, which serves South Beds, is keeping a close eye on the situation but don't reckon emergency measures will be needed here.

A spokesman said: "The low rainfall has resulted in a continuing decline of groundwater levels and these are below average for the time of year. Even heavy rainfall will not improve groundwater levels"

But because groundwater levels usually hold up well in the first year of any drought - and that's where we are at the moment - short-term supplies are safe.

The spokesman added: "We do not anticipate any water supply problems during the summer of 2005. We remain heedful of the situation and would encourage customers to use water wisely over the coming months, both in light of the current situation and in case we have another dry winter next year."

Three Valleys Water is spending £5 million over the next five years to study the impact of dry weather on rivers, working in partnership with the Environment Agency and local environmental groups.

Source: Herald & Post, 23 June 2005