Almost all homes in the South-East of England are now forbidden from using hosepipes or sprinklers after new water restrictions came into force. At the same time it was announced the average water bill will rise by over 5%. The rationing follows successive dry winters, in which we have seen the driest 15 months since 1933. Underground water supplies are well below average, and during the spring the rain which usually soaks through the soil to top up underground water flowing into rivers and boreholes is being taken up by plants. The Weir Wood reservoir in West Sussex is about 48% full for the time of year, and Bewl Water in Kent is about 61% full. Earlier in the year, the Environment Agency called on water companies to introduce hosepipe bans before Easter, in order to minimise the risk of more severe rationing in the event of a hot summer. So far, three have applied for a drought order under the Water Resources Act 1991, which restricts all non-essential use.
Anyone who breaks the hosepipe ban could be prosecuted and fined up to £1,000 and further restrictions could be more frequent in coming years, if the predicted changes in climate occur.
