Nearly 400,000 homes hit by hosepipe ban - see if your area is affected

25 April 2023 , 08:57

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The ban was introduced because water levels at Roadford Reservoir remain almost a third lower than last year (Image: SWNS)

Almost 400,000 homes have been hit with a hosepipe ban.

Households across Devon have been placed under the extended restriction that is intended to help replenish water supplies ahead of the summer, joining Cornwall.

It follows months of drier than usual weather, which has left the UK precariously on the edge of a hosepipe ban and drought in a number of regions.

Whilst March saw almost 50 per cent more rain than usual, February had 80 per cent less rainfall.

Cornwall, Devon, and the Isles of Scilly all remain officially in a drought status, declared by the Environment Agency, and have done since August last year.

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South West Water (SWW) announced the ban, and said it would help Roadford Reservoir and Colliford Lake fill back up again, before the hot weather expected this summer.

The areas hit by the hosepipe ban as reservoir levels remain worryingly low (South West Water)

It impacts 390,000 homes and comes after an initial ban remained in place - despite being introduced in August 2022.

The first ban covered Cornwall and a small part of north Devon, but the latest restriction covers a far larger area, that includes Plymouth, Barnstaple, Tavistock and Torquay.

Announcing the ban, SWW said: “We're asking customers to reduce non-essential water usage across Devon from 25th April through a Temporary Use Ban, or hosepipe ban.

“This is a necessary step to safeguard supplies following limited & inconsistent rainfall over past months.”

The water company said they were “urging” customers to reduce non-essential water usage after lower than average rainfall last year and throughout February.

The indefinite ban came into affect overnight (stock image) (Getty Images)

The ban came into affect overnight and prevents activities like watering the garden or washing the car using a hosepipe.

Roadford Reservoir is currently almost a third lower, 27 per cent, than it was at this time last year - equivalent to losing out 3,800 Olympic-sized swimming pools of water.

Similarly, Colliford Lake is 60 per cent full, compared to being 79 per cent full this time last year.

It has not yet been confirmed how long the ban will last and the company said they are monitoring the situation daily and hope to lift it as soon as possible

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David Harris, South West Water’s Drought and Resilience Director, said: “We know that last year and into this year our customers have made a real effort to be responsible in their water use and we thank them for that. It has made a difference and we ask them to continue saving water whenever they can.

“We continue to explore all options and take all necessary steps to ensure we protect supplies and the environment, bringing new supplies safely online, finding and fixing three times more leaks than last year and helping customers and businesses reduce their water usage.

“However, despite our interventions and investments, and the fantastic efforts of our customers, the region’s water resources are under immense and increasing pressure. Introducing a hosepipe ban is the responsible thing for us to do and going into the summer period is the right time to do it.”

The temporary ban doesn’t apply to blue badge holders or people on SWW’s priority register.

Kieren Williams