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The last hosepipe ban has come to an end today (25 September) with South West Water lifting the remaining restrictions in Cornwall and parts of Devon.
The company said water resources are in a much more stable position after recent rainfall coupled with targeted investments and consumer efforts to use less water.
Reservoir levels in the affected areas are higher than 12 months ago with Roadford storage currently 10% higher at 53% and Colliford storage at 52% – up 28% from the same point in 2022.
Restrictions in the south west began in 2022 during the prolonged dry spell and covered much of the region. South West added new storage for water reserves by converting disused quarries and have plans to add desalination plants during this investment period to 2025. This, the company said would increase its reserves by 45%.
During the 2022 drought, six water companies were obliged to introduce temporary usage bans as the country faced weeks without rainfall.
South West incentivised billpayers to continue to be mindful of usage through the winter with a campaign aimed at restoring Colliford reservoir from dangerously low levels. Customers were rewarded with £30 off their bills when Colliford’s levels returned to 30%.
The company said it will continue to closely monitor water resources, the weather and demand across its region while working closely with the Environment Agency on any decisions around future usage restrictions.
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