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Drought: Three water firms to lift hosepipe ban amid flood alerts Drought: Three water firms to lift hosepipe ban amid flood alerts
(40 minutes later)
Three water companies are to lift their hosepipe bans after further heavy rain. Three water companies are to lift their hosepipe bans from midnight on Wednesday, after further heavy rain.
Seven firms put restrictions on water use in April to combat drought in southern and eastern England after two unusually dry winters. Seven firms restricted water use in April to combat drought in southern and eastern England after two dry winters.
But the restrictions were followed by record rainfall across England that month and more rain in May and June. But the restrictions were followed by record rainfall across England that month, and more rain in May and June.
More more heavy rain is forecast and flood warnings are in place. The move by Anglian, Southern and Thames comes after flooding in England and Wales. The move by Anglian, Southern and Thames comes after flooding in England and Wales, with more heavy rain forecast and flood warnings in place.
The firms have confirmed that they are to remove the restrictions from midnight on Wednesday. The run of wet weather significantly improved river levels and reservoir stocks, and reduced the risk of drought and widespread water restrictions this summer, the Environment Agency has said.
The run of wet weather significantly improved river levels and reservoir stocks, and reduced the risk of drought and widespread water restrictions this summer, the Environment Agency HAS said.
South East Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Veolia Water Central and Veolia Water Southeast have confirmed their hosepipe bans remain in place due to low levels of groundwater.South East Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Veolia Water Central and Veolia Water Southeast have confirmed their hosepipe bans remain in place due to low levels of groundwater.
They said they would continue to monitor the situation and keep the restrictions under review.They said they would continue to monitor the situation and keep the restrictions under review.
Richard Aylard, sustainability director for Thames Water, which has 8.8m customers in London and the Thames Valley, said: "We don't need a ban, but we do need to ask everyone to keep on using water wisely."Richard Aylard, sustainability director for Thames Water, which has 8.8m customers in London and the Thames Valley, said: "We don't need a ban, but we do need to ask everyone to keep on using water wisely."
Paul Valleley, Anglian Water's director of water services, which supplies customers in the east of England and Hartlepool, said three months-worth of winter rain in April had "made all the difference".Paul Valleley, Anglian Water's director of water services, which supplies customers in the east of England and Hartlepool, said three months-worth of winter rain in April had "made all the difference".
Southern Water's water quality and strategy manager Meyrick Gough said it was "right" to lift the restrictions.Southern Water's water quality and strategy manager Meyrick Gough said it was "right" to lift the restrictions.
Rain and floodingRain and flooding
Meanwhile, parts of England Wales face further risk of flooding on Wednesday afternoon, with more heavy rain forecast. Meanwhile, parts of England Wales face further risk of flooding on Wednesday afternoon, with heavy rain forecast.
The Environment Agency has issued four flood warnings and 20 flood alerts, including 15 in the South East. The Environment Agency has issued four flood warnings and 20 flood alerts, including 15 in the South East of England.
In particular, people in Devon, Cornwall, west Somerset, North Wales and parts of the Midlands have been urged to be aware.
As yet, there are no severe flood warnings - the highest alert, meaning there is a danger to life.As yet, there are no severe flood warnings - the highest alert, meaning there is a danger to life.
People in Devon, Cornwall, west Somerset, North Wales and parts of the Midlands have been urged to be aware of the possibility of flooding.
The Met Office also issued a severe weather warning for Wednesday for south-west England, parts of the West Midlands and Wales. The warning is at a "yellow" level which means "be aware".The Met Office also issued a severe weather warning for Wednesday for south-west England, parts of the West Midlands and Wales. The warning is at a "yellow" level which means "be aware".
A spokeswoman said thundery downpours are expected on Wednesday afternoon, which could give up to 20mm of rain in any one place.A spokeswoman said thundery downpours are expected on Wednesday afternoon, which could give up to 20mm of rain in any one place.
BBC Weather forecaster Laura Gilchrist said the "warning zones" could see localised flooding. BBC Weather forecaster Laura Gilchrist added that "warning zones" could see localised surface flooding.
She said parts of England, including the South East, were now seeing brighter weather but more wet weather is expected across many parts on Thursday.She said parts of England, including the South East, were now seeing brighter weather but more wet weather is expected across many parts on Thursday.
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Heavy rain since the weekend led to around 1,000 people being evacuated from homes and caravan parks in Mid Wales on Saturday.Heavy rain since the weekend led to around 1,000 people being evacuated from homes and caravan parks in Mid Wales on Saturday.
And flooding caused more disruption in England on Tuesday - particularly in parts of West Sussex, where more than 20 people were rescued from flooded caravans at two holiday parks and the village of Elmer was evacuated.And flooding caused more disruption in England on Tuesday - particularly in parts of West Sussex, where more than 20 people were rescued from flooded caravans at two holiday parks and the village of Elmer was evacuated.
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 During Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons on Wednesday, David Cameron said he would work towards ensuring swift action to help homeowners in flood-hit communities.
David Cameron was asked to urge insurance companies to act with "renewed speed" to help flood-hit communities in Wales, at Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons on Wednesday.
Mr Cameron responded he would work towards making sure homeowners got swift action.
The impact of adverse weather and flooding is still being dealt with in parts of England and Wales on Wednesday afternoon, including the following incidents:The impact of adverse weather and flooding is still being dealt with in parts of England and Wales on Wednesday afternoon, including the following incidents:
  • A herd of cows have been saved from 5ft of fast-flowing water by animal charity officers - they had become trapped after heavy rain caused the River Arun to burst its banks near their field in West Sussex
  • Flood-hit businesses in Mid Wales have reported cancellations with some companies set to be offered government support
  • A major clean-up operation continues in Aberystwyth and the nearby villages of Talybont, Dol-y-Bont and Llandre and other areas affected by the flooding
  • Residents in Leeds have launched a clean-up of damaged properties after flash floods hit parts of West Yorkshire at the weekend
  • href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-18422229" >Floodwater is being pumped away from parts of West Sussex where many people were forced to flee their homes
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  • The Environment Agency has also sent equipment to pump out floodwater in Newburn, near Newcastle, where a collapsed culvert caused a build-up of water on the River Dene
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  • Laburnum Grove Junior School in Bognor Regis remained shut on Wednesday due to serious flooding, and is not expected to reopen until next Tuesday
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  • Roads in various parts of the country have been affected by rain and surface floods -the BBC's Travel Unit has full details of delays
The Environment Agency has urged people to remain vigilant and to check its website for the latest information.The Environment Agency has urged people to remain vigilant and to check its website for the latest information.
It "strongly" advised the public to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood waters.It "strongly" advised the public to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood waters.
12 months of drought previous slide next slide12 months of drought previous slide next slide
Have you been affected by the hosepipe ban? What is your reaction to Thames Water's proposals? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Have you been affected by the hosepipe ban? What is your reaction to Thames Water's proposals? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
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