News

With the region basking in the hottest June for 40 years Severn Trent has released new figures showing that demand for water is significantly up.

Severn Trent’s eight million or so customers used tens of million of litres more on Sunday than on an average day, with demand up around 11% on the start of June, as they basked in the sun and high temperatures.

And, as demand is so high, the company is offering customers some simple tips to help save water.  

Doug Clarke, water efficiency manager at Severn Trent, said: “The hot weather’s due to carry on through the week and water usage is at its peak so it is the perfect time to swat up on some simple water saving tips.

“So, when watering plants, use a watering can rather than a hose, and don’t worry about your lawn because it’ll bounce back once it starts raining again so you can put the sprinkler away.

“To put things into perspective, a sprinkler can use as much as 1,000 litres of drinking water in just one hour – which is more water than a family of four would normally use in a whole day!"

It’s been more than 20 years since Severn Trent last had a hosepipe ban in place, and while the company is confident it has enough supply to meet demand, it's still encouraging customers to save what they can.

Doug continues: “Our reservoirs and other water sources are in a healthy position and looking good at the moment but we’re asking our customers to think about being ‘water wise’ in whatever they do as the hot temperatures continue.  If there’s even a chance that it’s going to be a long dry summer, then we need to get into good habits now.”

Other handy tips, all of which are available at https://www.stwater.co.uk/my-supply/hot-weather-tips/ include:

•    Use showers (average 40 litres a time) instead of taking a bath (80 litres)

•    Water plants in the evening with a watering can – it’ll be more effective as less water will evaporate

•    Lawns are great survivors, unless it’s new turf or seed it doesn’t need watering so go easy on the sprinkler – setting the mower a bit higher will also help in hot weather

•    Watch out for leaking loos – stuck buttons on dual flush toilets can waste hundreds of litres of water every day

•    Wash your car with a bucket and sponge, not a hosepipe – or just wash the windows, lights and mirrors

To get water saving devices go to www.stwater.co.uk/savewater.