Water resources
August 2018 update
Our region received lower than average rainfall during 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.
However, over the last six months we have received only marginally below average rainfall due to a wet March and April. We do not anticipate the need for customer restrictions, ie, hosepipe bans, this year.
Current total reservoir storage is slightly below average and stands at 59% 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 41% and from Otterhead lakes to Luxhay where storage is currently 44%.
River flows are monitored on a daily basis to ensure stream supports are switched on as the appropriate flow triggers are reached. River flows remained higher than average throughout spring, but are now declining and are currently just below average.
Stream supports which help improve river flows are in operation in the following locations:
• 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)
• Yarde Lane (Pimperne Stream, Dorset).
Groundwater levels are falling but are about average for the time of year.
Demand for water increased by 20% during the recent hot dry weather.
10,000+
leaks fixed on our network during 2016/17 plus a further 4,000 leaks fixed for free on customer's private supply pipes.
We are committed to helping customers to reduce their water use and:
Using water wisely can reduce customers' utility bills and help their local environment.