This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-44850128

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Millions to face hosepipe ban in north-west England Millions to face hosepipe ban in north-west England
(about 2 hours later)
Millions of people will be affected by the first hosepipe ban of the summer in England.Millions of people will be affected by the first hosepipe ban of the summer in England.
United Utilities (UU) said a temporary ban affecting seven million people in the north-west of England from 5 August would "safeguard essential supplies".United Utilities (UU) said a temporary ban affecting seven million people in the north-west of England from 5 August would "safeguard essential supplies".
It said reservoir levels were already low and that hot weather was forecast for the rest of July.It said reservoir levels were already low and that hot weather was forecast for the rest of July.
Other water companies across England said they had adequate supplies and had no plans to impose similar bans.Other water companies across England said they had adequate supplies and had no plans to impose similar bans.
Carlisle and north Eden Valley, which have reasonable supplies, are exempt from the UU ban in north-west England. Carlisle and north Eden Valley are exempt from the ban as they receive water from local sources - not the network which serves the rest of the region - and have not been as badly affected by the lack of rainfall, the firm said.
The two areas receive water from local water sources - not the network which serves the rest of the region - and have not been as badly affected by the lack of rainfall, the firm said. Depleted supplies
Earlier this month UU said it was moving water from Wales to boost depleted supplies across north-west England. Eastern parts of Cheshire are affected, but Chester and West Cheshire are not as they are covered by Severn Trent Water.
Earlier this month UU, which supplies about 3.2 million properties, said it was moving water from Wales to boost depleted supplies across north-west England.
A hosepipe ban was introduced in Northern Ireland at the end of June.A hosepipe ban was introduced in Northern Ireland at the end of June.
Martin Padley, from UU, said the ban, known as a temporary use ban, comes during what is believed to be the longest heatwave since 1976. Martin Padley, from UU, said the ban, known as a temporary use ban, came during what was believed to be the longest heatwave since 1976.
He said: "Despite some recent rainfall, reservoir levels are still lower than we would expect at this time of year and, with forecasters predicting a return to hot dry weather for the rest of July we will need to impose some temporary restrictions on customers. He said: "Despite some recent rainfall, reservoir levels are still lower than we would expect at this time of year and, with forecasters predicting a return to hot dry weather for the rest of July, we will need to impose some temporary restrictions on customers.
"We are enormously grateful to customers for having helped reduce the demand on our network over the last couple of weeks but unless we get a period of sustained rainfall before 5 August these restrictions will help us safeguard essential water supplies for longer." "Unless we get a period of sustained rainfall before 5 August these restrictions will help us safeguard essential water supplies for longer."
The firm said the ban was alongside its other efforts to maintain essential supplies, including maximising water abstraction from ground water supplies, moving water around its regional integrated network of pipes and running a campaign to encourage customers to use water wisely. The firm said the ban was alongside its other efforts to maintain essential supplies, including maximising water abstraction from ground water supplies; moving water around its regional integrated network of pipes; and running a campaign to encourage customers to use water wisely.
The firm said it had the power to impose fines of up to £1,000 for people who flouted the ban.The firm said it had the power to impose fines of up to £1,000 for people who flouted the ban.
Although water companies in other regions of England urged customers to continue to be "water wise" in the hot weather, they said they had no plans to impose similar bans.Although water companies in other regions of England urged customers to continue to be "water wise" in the hot weather, they said they had no plans to impose similar bans.
Severn Trent Water, which serves more than 4.2 million homes and businesses in the Midlands and mid-Wales, said its reservoirs were in a "healthy position".
South Staffs Water, which supplies more than a million customers in the Midlands, said: "The water levels in our reservoirs are healthy - we've got no issues."
Temporary use bans - dos and don'tsTemporary use bans - dos and don'ts
Anglian Water said its reservoir levels were where they should be or slightly above average for the time of year. Why the North West?
Northumbrian Water, Bristol Water and Thames Water all said they were not planning hosepipe bans.
Wessex Water, which said there was "no prospect" of introducing the region's first hosepipe ban since 1976, said it was still important for customers to do their bit to save water.
Its head of water resources Aimee Shaw added: "Saving water can be as easy as taking a break from your chores, leave the grass to turn brown, don't worry about washing the car or perhaps do one less load of washing in the machine."
Welsh Water said it was encouraging its three million customers to use water wisely, even though it may soon start to rain.
The company warned that, after prolonged dry weather, it would be difficult for rain to penetrate the ground and help restore reservoir levels.
Unlike many other areas of the UK, the North West's water supply relies heavily on open water sources (reservoirs), rather than large reserves of ground water from boreholes. And it has experienced some the country's most prolonged dry periods this year.Unlike many other areas of the UK, the North West's water supply relies heavily on open water sources (reservoirs), rather than large reserves of ground water from boreholes. And it has experienced some the country's most prolonged dry periods this year.
It has been the driest June in the North West and north Wales since 1976, according to Met Office data.
Dr Neil Macdonald, an expert in water management from the University of Liverpool, said much higher temperatures and "half the region's normal rainfall in the past two months" had resulted in high demand and led to a considerable depletion in resources.
"You just have to look around to see everyone using sprinklers", he said.
People in the region questioned the decision on social media, asking why the ban was necessary and highlighting the water company's profits.
Shaun Austin tweeted to the company that the ban "will reduce water usage by 5-10%" but "fixing leaks will reduce water usage by over 20%".
How much water is UU losing from leakage?
In 2016-17, United Utilities was one of five companies in England and Wales losing more water than the national average of 121 litres per property per day from leakage.
However, it had made an improvement on the previous year, with leaks down 2.8%.
United Utilities lost 439.2 mega litres (439.2 million litres) per day. Per property that works out at 133.4 litres every day.
That's more than one-and-a-half bath tubs (a standard bath tub is 80 litres) for every property, every day, lost in the United Utilities area.
As of 8 July 2018 United Utilities reservoirs were about two-thirds full (67.1%), down from 84.1% last year.
The average through the year is about 81.7% full.
When are you allowed to use a hosepipe?
There are a range of exemptions to the ban, including for:
Source: United Utilities
'Reducing profits''Reducing profits'
Bosses of England's nine privatised water companies banked £58m in pay and benefits over the past five years, according to research by the GMB union published in June.Bosses of England's nine privatised water companies banked £58m in pay and benefits over the past five years, according to research by the GMB union published in June.
Privatised water firms in England typically lose between 20% and 22% of supply due to leakage, according to figures from Ofwat, the water industry regulator.Privatised water firms in England typically lose between 20% and 22% of supply due to leakage, according to figures from Ofwat, the water industry regulator.
Professor David Hall from the University of Greenwich, an expert on the water industry, said privatised water firms had an incentive not to fix too many leaks as the cost of work would bite into profits and become uneconomic.Professor David Hall from the University of Greenwich, an expert on the water industry, said privatised water firms had an incentive not to fix too many leaks as the cost of work would bite into profits and become uneconomic.
"They can't recoup the cost of making reductions in leakage levels except by reducing profits, that's not what they want to do," he said."They can't recoup the cost of making reductions in leakage levels except by reducing profits, that's not what they want to do," he said.
"If the leakage levels were not so high, the daily volume of water delivered would be higher, therefore we would reach the point of hosepipe bans much later."If the leakage levels were not so high, the daily volume of water delivered would be higher, therefore we would reach the point of hosepipe bans much later.
"Any restriction on water use is a restriction on people's quality of life.""Any restriction on water use is a restriction on people's quality of life."