Businesses told to still be careful using water

Car washes, data centres and factories are being encouraged to use water "responsibly" as drought conditions continue.

Essex and Suffolk Water (ESW) said it is "working closely" with businesses, local authorities and retailers to "reduce their demand and cut water waste".

The supplier said a temporary use ban - introduced on 3 August - had led to a 15% drop in water demand from business customers, but it was "important that these reductions continue".

ESW said reservoir levels remained below normal for this time of year, with only 5% of average rainfall recorded so far in August.

The firm praised households for reducing water demand since the hosepipe ban was brought in.

It was now offering free water efficiency reviews to retailers and businesses, as well as helping them to identify and repair leaks, and offering grants to help replace older, less efficient fittings.

ESW - which provides water to 2.1m customers across parts of Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and east London - said the current ban applied to both household customers and non-households.

These included businesses where water was being used for domestic-type purposes, such as watering lawns and cleaning patios and paths.

But it added many organisations relied on water to deliver essential services, manufacture products and support local communities.

"We are asking businesses, charities and public sector organisations to also play their part," said Kieran Ingram, ESW's water director, adding that "the biggest impact will come from collective action".

The firm said reservoir levels in Essex were only 54% full - including Hanningfield Reservoir at 49% and Abberton Reservoir at 57%, - while Fritton Lake on the Suffolk/Norfolk border is at 49% capacity, with Ormesby in Norfolk at 56%.

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