Southern Water has introduced a hosepipe ban for its customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, following similar restrictions by South East Water. The company stated that June's rainfall was significantly lower than anticipated, leading to a faster and more substantial drop in water levels than its models predicted.
Tania Flasck, director of water operations at Southern Water, explained that approximately one-third of the expected flow was recorded in June. "When we've actually measured the levels we've seen it's dropped down a lot, a lot further and faster than we've anticipated," Flasck said.
Customers are being asked to conserve water by using methods such as watering cans or buckets for activities like watering gardens, filling paddling pools, or washing vehicles.
Southern Water indicated that investment in infrastructure, including the development of the UK's first new reservoir in 30 years, is planned to reduce reliance on water taken from the Test and Itchen rivers by 2040. However, Paul Vignaux, executive director of the Test and Itchen Association, expressed concern about the impact of water extraction on natural sources. "We have no reservoirs here and all the water comes from the river or from the aquifer," Vignaux stated. "And effectively, if you take water from our rivers and aquifers, you're taking water from nature."
The measure comes as water companies grapple with maintaining adequate supplies amid changing weather patterns and increasing demand.
