Thames Water has called on Britons to take shorter showers as reservoir levels drop significantly. The utility, which serves 16 million customers, reported that its London reservoir is currently at 74%, well below the average of 87% for this time of year. This decline highlights the ongoing drought conditions affecting water supply across the region.
The water director at Thames Water noted that measures taken by customers have helped reduce demand by up to 6%. However, with daily water usage still exceeding normal levels by around 100 million litres, the situation remains critical. The company is urging residents to limit water usage to essential needs only.
Recent rainfall has been minimal, with the Thames catchment area receiving less than 1 millimetre in July, just 2% of the long-term average. While some rain is forecasted this week, it is unlikely to significantly alleviate the drought, as the showers are expected to be scattered and insufficient.
In addition to Thames Water’s plea, Wessex Water has implemented a hosepipe ban for the first time in half a century, affecting 1.4 million customers. With hosepipe bans now impacting over 27 million people across England, the urgency for water conservation is clear as the country grapples with these severe drought conditions.
Source: GB News
