Forums Forums Local News Hose-Pipe Ban

The amount of reservoir storage we have is more than adequate, it just needs better management.

The collection of water to feed the reservoirs needs to be augmented and maintained, this was totally ignored for a number of years.

Less reliance on water storage facilities that are difficult to replenish.

Reduction of water pressure to reduce the effect of leaks, this was promised but when they started to fix the major pipeline leaks, most houses water pressures have increased noticeably as a result of reduced leaks.

Reduction of evaporation from reservoirs - unfortunately this has always been controversial due to the visual appearance and the affect on wildlife.

Other countries have very successfully used de-salination techniques, I cant see why it would be a problem FFS we're surrounded by sea water...

This hose pipe ban is going to be a nightmare.. I have a 30x80 allotment I grow all my veggies on, It's going to take me upwards of an hour a day to water it.. so I'll probably end up with dead plants and having to buy my veg at the supermarket ... gah my poor carbon footprint =(

Problem solved lmao!

See what i mean, the kids finish tommorrow

North west deluge not enough to allow hosepipe ban to be lifted says United Utililities


LAKES and reservoirs in West Cumbria have recovered following the deluge of rain over the past two weeks -but the hosepipe ban will remain in force.

THE north west’s water provider said the weekend rainfall across the region was welcome, and confirmed the withdrawal of its drought permit application for Ennerdale Lake from the Environment Agency.

Ennerdale and Crummock – the key reservoirs supplying West Cumbria – are now full. Thirlmere and Haweswater reservoirs, in the Lake District saw an 8% increase in water levels rising from 50% a week ago, to 58% by Sunday night.

But United Utilities warned further sustained rainfall is required before all reservoirs fully recover.

The north west has only seen two-thirds the normal average rainfall since April, much has simply started to re-wet the ground that had completely dried out due to the driest seven months on record.

Reservoirs across the Pennines in Lancashire remain particularly low despite the recent storms in the county, with many still less than half full, the lowest since records began 74 years ago.

Normally at this time of the year Pennine & Lake District reservoirs should be around 70% full.

Meanwhile, heavy rain across other parts of Cumbria during the past seven days helped river flows and lake levels to increase sufficiently enabling the water firm to re-start their pumping stations at Lakes Windermere and Ullswater, the first time since Easter.

A spokesman for UU said: "We’re monitoring reservoir levels on a daily basis and we will lift the hosepipe ban as soon as all reservoirs recover to normal.

"There is more rain forecasted for the region, and whilst not great for summer, is welcomed to bring the driest start to the year back into balance.”


THE WIRRAL GLOBE

Mersey will burst it banks due to the deluge and they will still say..."not enough rain"!!!

cant u tell the kids have broken up for teh summer hols ....6 weeks of rain then they will go back and the sun will come out again

North West's hosepipe ban lifted after heavy rain

A hosepipe ban across the North West of England has been lifted after weeks of wet weather.

United Utilities imposed the ban on 9 July after the region's driest start to a year since records began in 1929.

Despite a month in which parts of the region were hit by torrential rain and flash floods, Pennine reservoir levels remain below average.

But the water firm is shifting supplies from North Wales and Cumbria allowing it to lift the restrictions.

The prolonged dry spell at the beginning of 2010 resulted in reservoirs falling to less than half their capacity in some cases.

It meant up to seven million homes in parts of Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside and Cheshire were asked to save water just as their gardens were getting hit with heavy downpours.

Following significant July and August rainfall and water conservation efforts, United Utilities announced the end of restrictions on Thursday.

Richard Blackwell, United Utilities' supply demand manager, thanked customers for their patience.

"Our key reservoirs in Cumbria and North Wales are now at the kind of levels we would expect for the time of year," he said.

"Pennine reservoir levels remain below normal, with some still at very low levels, but we are now able to compensate for this shortfall by moving more water from Cumbria and North Wales using our integrated pipe network.

"Overall, the situation is much improved and the ban is no longer required to safeguard essential supplies.

"Although the ban is over, some of our reservoirs are still very low, so it's important that people continue to do what they can to save water around the home and garden."

The ban restricted the use of hosepipes or sprinklers for watering private gardens and washing private cars - but businesses were not affected.

United Utilities said its customers saved about of three billion litres (880 million gallons) of water during the ban.

BBC News