South West Water is seeking to extend a ban on non-essential water use for businesses across parts of Devon as the region looks set to stay in drought conditions until next spring.
Five heatwaves were recorded throughout the summer months, and South West Water introduced a hosepipe ban on August 8. This continues to be in place as the water company seeks to widen restrictions to certain businesses.
Drought order application
South West Water (SWW) has submitted an application for a drought order from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to impose restrictions on non-essential water use for businesses in Mid and East Devon, as well as a small part of Dorset, including Lyme Regis.
The affected area would include Exeter, Exmouth, Crediton, Sidmouth, Tiverton and Honiton, along with the surrounding areas.
Proposed restrictions
Hosepipes remain banned for residential properties, and the proposed restrictions would also ban the following:
- watering plants on commercial premises
- filling or maintaining certain non-domestic swimming pools and ponds
- vehicle washing
- cleaning non-domestic buildings and premises
- cleaning an industrial plant
- dust suppression
- other specified non-essential uses of mains water
The proposed ban would not affect household customers, though the hosepipe ban remains in place.
Reservoir levels and outlook
SWW pointed to a lack of significant rainfall following the record-breaking summer, and the Environment Agency has indicated that while some areas will recover over the winter, the South West could remain in drought until spring 2027.
Current figures reveal that all reservoirs across the South West are sitting at below 40 per cent of their full capacity.
Sam Bottomley, South West Water's director for drinking water services, said: "The South West is entering a critical phase of an exceptionally prolonged drought. While recent rainfall is helping, water resources remain under significant pressure and we continue to rely heavily on water stored in reservoirs to maintain supplies."
"Every day we continue to draw on our reservoirs to keep water flowing to homes, businesses and communities while river flows remain below the levels needed to support public water supply."
"Many people understandably think a drought is over once it starts raining. In reality, recovery takes much longer. After such a prolonged dry period, rainfall first has to replenish dry soils and the wider environment before rivers return to seasonal levels. Only then can reservoirs begin to recover properly."
"Some of those rivers still remain at their lowest levels and with no significant rain forecast for the coming weeks, the immediate challenge is reducing demand and preserving enough stored water to maintain supplies until river flows and reservoir levels recover."
"Applying for a drought order is a responsible step to help protect the environment and preserve the water we have available. Taking action now gives us the best opportunity to protect supplies, reducing the risk of further restrictions and supply outages while water resources remain under pressure."
"While household customers would not be impacted, we recognise these restrictions have an impact on businesses, and we will provide clear guidance and support if the application is approved."
"In the meantime, the hosepipe ban remains in place for all of our customers, and need customers to continue to take steps to reduce their water use as we do everything we can to protect water supplies."
The news comes just days after SWW was handed a fine of nearly £8m for sewage spillages at beauty spots across Devon and Cornwall over a six-year period. It stands as the largest fine ever imposed for environmental offences in the region.
