Water Resources situation
The water from your tap starts its journey in either in a river, lake, reservoir or aquifer (underground, water bearing rock). From there, it is transferred by pipelines to one of our water treatment works where it is treated before being distributed to your homes through our network of pipelines.
So the more water you use, the more water we have to abstract from the environment and treat at our water treatment works. Water is a finite resource and it is important we leave as much water as possible in the environment so that our amazing rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and the wildlife they support, are able to function more naturally. This is particularly important during dry weather and droughts.
Latest water resource situation
To help you make more informed decisions about your water use, we will report our latest water resources situation here.
We collect and store water in our reservoirs to meet demand throughout the year. Reservoir storage is drawn down in the summer when demand is higher and rainfall lower, and then they refill over the winter, when demand is lower and rainfall is higher.
The table below presents our current reservoir stocks and if they are above, below or at average levels for the time of year. These are updated each month.
When reservoir stocks are below average and particularly when below average for longer than a month, then this is the time to start to try and reduce your water use in your home and garden.
Read our top tips for saving water.
Essex & Suffolk Water - 3 December 2024
| Reservoir Group | Current Situation | |
|
Combined Essex Reservoir storage (Hanningfield and Abberton Reservoirs) |
74% full | Above average |
If you would like detailed information on recent rainfall, current river flows, and river and groundwater levels, these can be found on the Environment Agency website here: EA website (opens new window), or to see the Regional Hydrological outlook, including rainfall, river flows and groundwater levels please refer to hydoutuk.net/latest-outlook (opens new window).
Likelihood of restrictions of water use
During a significant drought, we may need to implement a Temporary Use Ban (or TUB), more commonly known as a 'Hosepipe Ban'. To see the likelihood of formal restrictions on water use being needed, or if there are currently any formal restrictions on the use of water in place, please refer to wheatleywatersource.co.uk (opens new window).