Hosepipe ban could last until winter, firm says

A hosepipe ban is likely to remain in place for a number of months, Anglian Water has warned.

The company, which serves seven million customers, predominantly in the East of England, introduced the ban in July citing "unrelenting" hot and dry conditions.

Grant Tufts from Anglian Water told a meeting at Norfolk County Council the ban may be in place until "even the winter".

He added that significantly more rain was needed to replenish reservoir supplies.

Anglian Water supplies drinking and wastewater services to parts of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire.

Tufts, the firm's public affairs lead, said during the meeting the hosepipe ban was "not going to be stopping any time soon".

He said: "I can't give you a date, but it's going to be well into the autumn, maybe even the winter.

"We need several more downpours and consistent rain to recharge those supplies."

Speaking after the meeting, Liberal Democrat councillor Rob Colwell said "it wasn't the answer that I think we were hoping for".

He said: "Residents are saying to me they're having to conserve water, they're being careful, they're not using their hose pipes, yet they're still seeing leaks, significant leaks in places - I think it's just frustrating."

A number of leaks and burst pipes were reported in the region during the summer.

In July, police and the fire service were called to Crown Street in Ipswich when a burst pipe led to heavy flooding. Elsewhere, in Northamptonshire, landowners raised concerns about a leaking water pipe flooding fields while the hosepipe ban was in place.

Anglian Water has previously stated that reducing leakages is one of its biggest priorities, but added: "During periods of exceptionally high demand, even fixing every leak wouldn't be enough on its own.

"Using water wisely helps protect supplies for everyone while we continue the important work of tackling leaks across our network."

Hosepipe bans by other companies serving the region, including Cambridge Water, Essex and Suffolk Water and Thames Water, remain in place.

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