South West Water 'confident' there will be no hose pipe ban this year

South West Water has expressed confidence that there will be no need for hosepipe bans in Devon or Cornwall this year, even in the face of potential prolonged periods of hot and dry weather.

Following the significant drought experienced in 2022, which led to hosepipe bans in Cornwall and parts of North Devon, and subsequently extended to other areas of Devon in 2023, South West Water has undertaken substantial measures to bolster water resources in the region.

The water company has said, a combination of substantial investment, periods of heavy rainfall, and proactive water-saving efforts by customers has contributed to a notable increase in reservoir levels across the South West.

Recently, South West Water announced that its two largest strategic reservoirs, Roadford Reservoir in Devon and Colliford Reservoir in Cornwall, have both exceeded 90 per cent storage capacity.

To ensure continued water resilience, South West Water have said they are investing over £125 million to increase water resources by 30 per cent in Devon and 45 per cent in Cornwall. 

The company has said significant progress has been made, with all plans for Devon completed and in operation, while 70 per cent of projects in Cornwall are finalised, including developments such as desalination in Par and a new water treatment facility in Porth.

Comparing current reservoir levels to last year's, Roadford Reservoir stands at 100 percent storage capacity, up from 68 per cent, while Colliford Reservoir is at 98.5 percent, compared to 60 percent last year.

David Harris, South West Water’s Drought and Resilience Director, said: “While it may seem obvious that recent heavy rainfall has led to increased reservoir levels across the region, over one-third of the additional storage has come from our own supply interventions and customers reducing their own usage.”

He continued: “We will continue to invest and deliver clean water supplies across our region and prepare as much as we can for climate change and unpredictable weather patterns.”

South West Water has affirmed that their Water Resources Management Plan is forward-looking, spanning 25 years to guarantee a secure, sufficient, and safe water supply for all while ensuring the protection and thriving of the local environment and wildlife. 

In addition, South West Water has stated that they are finding and fixing more leaks than ever before, alongside actively supporting customers, businesses, and visitors in the region through their Water is Precious campaign, aimed at reducing water usage.