An update on the region’s water resources

14th November 2022

Following one of the driest and hottest periods in the region for over 130 years, the rainfall across the South West has been very welcome. In recent days this, alongside our proactive steps to increase supplies, has helped river and reservoir levels stabilise and slowly start to recover.

However, reservoir levels remain low in the South West and especially low in Cornwall. As the ground is so dry following months of hot weather it will take much longer for moisture to reach groundwater sources as the dry soil will absorb water.

Think of a dry kitchen sponge getting wet for the first time after sitting on the windowsill in the sun. When you initially run it under the tap water will bounce off it and then the sponge will slowly start to absorb it. This is similar to the ground so we need sustained rainfall to help restore moisture and then to refill our rivers and reservoirs.

That is why South West Water is asking everyone to help Stop The Drop and continue to reduce the amount of water they use to help recharge the region’s rivers and reservoirs. The temporary restrictions on the use of hosepipes are still in place in Cornwall and parts of North Devon.

The more water we can collectively save now will reduce the risk of further restrictions being required in Spring or Summer 2023.

Laura Flowerdew, Chief Customer and Digital Officer, Pennon Group, owner of South West Water, said: “We have been working around the clock to bring new supplies safely online, find and fix more leaks than ever before and help businesses and customers reduce their water usage. These proactive steps have helped river and reservoir levels stabilise across our region and recover in Devon. However, in Cornwall reservoir levels remain low. That is why we are asking everyone to help Stop The Drop so we can restore reservoir reserves, ensuring we have enough water today and into next year.”

As well as offering tips on how to be more water efficient at home, so far this year South West Water has given more than 45,000 water-saving devices to customers ranging from water butts to flow-reducing shower heads. These can be found on their website.

Day to day activities around the house can use a lot of water from 50 litres a cycle on a washing machine and up to 9 litres every time you flush the loo, to using 14 litres for a dishwasher cycle or even 30 litres for handwashing dishes.

Small steps can make a big difference:

• Cutting shower time by just 1 minute across the South West would save over 16 million li-tres a day. That’s enough water to supply over 100,000 additional people each day
• Simply turning off the tap when brushing your teeth can save approximately 9,000 litres a year. That's the equivalent of 37,000 cups. Or enough water to shower almost 100 times
• A dripping tap wastes around 5,500 litres of water a year