Resources on target after summer

31/10/2006

Demand for water in the Essex & Suffolk Water supply area fell over the summer  - even though there was no hosepipe ban in place.

Customers using water wisely and investment in resources helped to ensure that restrictions did not need to be imposed on water use.

Essex & Suffolk Water’s two major reservoirs – Hanningfield near Chelmsford and Abberton near Colchester - are now  67% full, which is average for this time of year and are expected to be full by May 2007.

At the height of the hot weather this summer there was a 10-15% reduction in demand for water compared to what would normally be expected – which is, on average, a saving of the equivalent of six Olympic size swimming pools of water each day. Overall the water saved by customers this year has meant the reservoirs are now 8% more full than they would have been.

Martin Lunn, scientific and water resources manager said: “This is as good a savings figure as that seen by companies which did impose hosepipe bans and has helped put us in a good position for re-filling the reservoirs for next year.

“Working with our customers, as well as developing new water resources, has resulted in our water stocks being in good shape. We also worked closely with the local Environment Agency teams who helped ensure we made the best use of the available water .”

Essex & Suffolk Water’s customers played a major part in helping to ensure that restrictions on use
did not have to be imposed over the summer. The 1.7 million customers made the savings by following a range of water-wise tips which included using a water butt in the garden, installing a Save-a-flush device and using a bucket and sponge to wash the car.

Since the drought of 1995-97, Essex & Suffolk Water has worked hard to develop new water resources, lower its leakage to the lowest in the country and increase customer metering to the highest in the south east. All of these things are seen as essential with Essex being the driest county in the UK .

Martin Lunn added: “It is important that we continue to work in partnership with our customers and ensure that none of us waste precious water.”

For further information please contact Claire Bishop on 01245 212 010.