Water resources
October 2018 update
Following the average rainfall in August (65 mm), September was another dry month with just 66% (36 mm) of the average rainfall for the month. This follows lower than average levels of rainfall in May, June and July; May saw 78% of average rainfall, June saw just 9% of the average and in July we received 65% of the rain we would normally expect for the month.
As a result, rain received in the last 6 months (April to September) is below average, a total of 271 mm was received which is just 75% of average. However, we do not anticipate the need for customer restrictions, ie, hosepipe bans, this year.
Current total reservoir storage is slightly below average and at mid-October stands at 38% of total capacity. Pumped storage (where we pump water from rivers to top up storage in the surface reservoirs) is currently running from Bridgwater and Taunton canal to Durleigh reservoir where storage is currently 36% and from the River Yeo to Sutton Bingham where storage is currently 40%.
River flows are monitored on a daily basis to ensure stream supports are switched on as the appropriate flow triggers are reached. Whilst river flows remained higher than average throughout spring, they declined at a higher rate than normal over the summer and are currently slightly below average.
Stream supports which help improve river flows are in operation in the following locations:
- Briantspuddle (River Piddle, Dorset)
- Brixton Deverill (River Wylye, nr Warminster)
- Chitterne (Chitterne Brook, nr Warminster)
- Dewlish (Devil’s Brook, Dorset)
- Hullavington (Gauze Brook, nr Malmesbury)
- Kingston Deverill (River Wylye, nr Warminster)
- Little Chalfield (Chalfield Brook, nr Bradford on Avon)
- Lower Stanton St Quinton (Rodbourne Stream, nr Chippenham)
- Luckington (Sherston Avon, nr Malmesbury)
- Porton (Salisbury Bourne)
- South Wraxall (Chalfield Brook, nr Bradford on Avon)
- Tetbury (Tetbury Avon, nr Malmesbury)
- Watergates (Tadnoll Brook, Dorset)
Groundwater levels decreased at a higher rate than normal over the summer, and are now slightly below average for the time of year.
Demand for water increased by 20% during the recent hot dry weather. Whilst the average daily demand in August and September decreased in response to the lower temperatures, it remained fairly high for the time of year.
14,500
leaks fixed on our network during 2017/18.
We are committed to helping customers to reduce their water use and:
- offer free water efficiency devices to our customers
- provide useful tips on how to reduce water use both in in the home and garden.
Using water wisely can reduce customers' utility bills and help their local environment.
Rainfall |
88% of average - For the last 12 months |
| |
66% of average - For last month |
Reservoirs |
38% Full |
Groundwater |
Below average |
Supporting river flows |
50 million litres per day |
Leaks fixed this year |
8710 |
Water saving initiatives |
3.4 million litres since 2015 |