Water Relief! - Hosepipe ban lifted, but water savings still essential
18th January 2007
Thames Water is lifting the hosepipe and sprinkler ban at 8am today which has been in force across the Lyneham region since April 2006.

The decision, which has been taken in consultation with the Environment Agency, follows four months of above-average rainfall (September 2006 to December 2006), which have eased immediate concerns about water resources following the record drought that began in November 2004.

But Thames Water is asking customers to stick with water-saving tips that helped avoid the need for more severe restrictions in the region last summer. Meanwhile, Thames Water continues its drive to reduce leakage, particularly in London.

WATER restrictions were introduced in Lyneham in April 2006 and the country experienced month after month of below average rainfall figures and it was anticipated that the country could be crippled by its worst drought in 100 years. Hosepipe bans across the county made many think the way we use water.

There were many changes to the day to day routines for householders, many purchased water saving devices to conserve the drying up water supplies as the whole country went onto experience one of the driest and hottest years on record.

However, the weather turned after the long and warm summer, we have been experiencing well above average rainfall for the last five months. Albeit, the temperatures have still been above the 30 year average the skies opened and filled up the reservoirs and underground aquifers.

It has taken some time for the rain to seep down into underground aquifers that keep rivers and reservoirs topped up during the spring and the summer, but groundwater levels throughout the catchment are also rising and are expected to have generally recovered to at least near-normal levels by February.

Thames Water regretted having to impose the ban, the first in 15 years, but given the severity of the drought, a cautious approach was needed to keep taps flowing without harming the environment by taking extra water from rivers. Customers responded very positively to our appeals to use water wisely. Demand fell by as much as ten per cent, even at the peak of the heat wave in July.

Thames Water have asked to emphasise to the residents of Lyneham, that they remain extremely grateful for your help. Combined with the hosepipe ban, the assistance you provided by adhering to the restriction, it ensured that we all maintained essential supplies throughout last year, despite the two previous very dry winters.