Hosepipe ban kept 'under review' as 'heatwave conditions' expected in the West Midlands
Severn Trent has announced that a hosepipe ban for the region is an option they 'keep under review' as the temperatures continue to rise.
With temperatures expected to rise across the West Midlands, and the prospect of another heatwave becoming more likely, water administrators, Severn Trent, have discussed the prospect of a hose pipe ban being implemented for the region.
The talk comes as Yorkshire introduces a 'Temporary Use Ban' (TUB) on hosepipes to water gardens, wash cars, or fill domestic pools, becoming the first region of England to implement the rule.
Now, with the chances of a third heatwave for Britain becoming more likely, Severn Trent has said that the chances of a 'hosepipe ban' are an option they 'keep under review'.
When asked about the possibility of a hosepipe ban in the coming weeks, a Severn Trent spokesperson said: "The weather has been hot and dry, and water use is very high across the Midlands.
"So, whilst our customers can be confident we’re doing everything to keep water following, given the ongoing dry weather, it’s [hosepipe bans] an option we keep under review as part of our drought management plan.
The water group said that a potential ban could be avoided if everyone 'played their part' to reduce the amount of water used by following their water saving tips.
The spokesperson added: "Everyone can play a part too by reducing the amount of water used by following some easy water-saving tips.
"Small changes make a big difference, such as keeping a jug of water in the fridge rather than running the tap for it to go cold, leaving the watering in the garden for another time as the grass always bounces back after rain, and turning the tap off whilst you clean your teeth."
The water group have also provided a list of easy-to-follow tips to help reduce water usage during the hot period, which include fixing leaks around the house, reducing shower time and running full dishwasher and washing machine loads only.
See the full list of tips below:
Turn Off Taps When Not in Use – Did you know that a running tap uses over SIX litres of water every minute. So, by turning them off while you brush your teeth, you’ll be saving over 12 litres of water. Similarly, if you’re washing the dishes, filling the bowl with water rather than having a running tap will help to save water.
Fix Leaks Promptly – We often find people tend to put off getting leaks fixed, yet even small leaks can waste significant amounts of water. So regularly check your taps, showerheads and toilets for leaks and repair them as soon as possible. For more information on leak-detecting, visit here.
Use Water-Efficient Fixtures – We all love a power shower, but they use A LOT more water than a normal shower, so consider installing water-saving devices such as low-flow showerheads or dual-flush toilets which do the same job while using less water.
Try a shower timer – Showers are one of the largest users of water in a household. And while you might love singing through your setlist while washing the suds out of your hair, a shower timer might just keep you on track to spend less time in there. Not only will that help lower you water bill, but it could also cut your energy bill – and your neighbour’s ears will also benefit!
Run Full Loads – Dishwashers are becoming much more energy and water efficient and if used correctly, by only using them when it is full, can be more efficient than washing dishes by hand. Similarly, only using your washing machine on a full load will mean less cycles and less water used.
Get a water meter – Once installed, most customers make a conscious effort to use less water once they switch to a water meter. The meters mean you’ll only ever pay for what you use, putting you in charge of your bills. To see if you can apply, visit here
