Severn Trent doesn’t want to issue hosepipe ban but makes a call to “use water wisely”

Gareth Mead, riverside manager at Severn Trent, at the River Severn in Shrewsbury. Picture: LDRS

Severn Trent says it doesn’t want to be “killjoys” by issuing a hosepipe ban – but is advising people to use water wisely.

A drought has officially been declared in seven areas of England, including the West Midlands. This, the Environment Agency says, has been brought by a combination of very low rainfall and warm temperatures.

The UK is set to have its driest July on record, which follows the warmest June.

Several water companies have issued temporary hosepipe bans, including Thames Water, South East Water, and Southern Water.

However, Severn Trent – which supplies water to over eight million customers from mid-Wales to Rutland, and from the Humber to the Bristol Channel – said it is not in a position to do likewise.

“We’ve not had a hosepipe ban in our area for 30 years,” said Gareth Mead, river rangers manager at Severn Trent.

“We don’t want to have one and be killjoys and be the Grinch of summer.

“It’s a case of use your water wisely and sparingly. There are areas of concern that are trigger levels, and we’re keeping our eye on an area in Staffordshire.

“The big users of water are things like sprinklers and hosepipes, so we’d ask people not to use them as much.

“It’s simple things. Like stack your dishwasher – make sure it’s full. When you have got surplus water, use it from the sink to water your plants.”

Mr Mead was talking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service on the banks of the River Severn in Shrewsbury.

He said climate change is concerning many organisations and industries.

“We’re carefully monitoring it and are constantly reviewing our plans,” said Mr Mead.

“This is our third hot weather period. The river is as low as I’ve seen it, and I’ve been looking at it for a few years.”