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A Cornish reservoir that fell to its lowest levels during the summer drought has been restored following an incentive scheme by South West Water to give customers money off their bills to use less water
Customers will receive £30 off their water bill after Colliford Reservoir levels returned to 30% capacity. The Stop the Drop campaign was launched in November encouraging householders to conserve water resources in exchange for money off their bill if the reservoir capacity increased to one-third by the end of this year.
The strategic reservoir, which serves around 255,000 households, saw its levels fall to lowest ever record point this year due to unprecedented demand and the extended dry weather.
As well as the efficiency drive, the company has worked to repair leaks and bursts as well as bringing more resources online such as the Hawks Tor former quarry the company bought and brought online this year.
Chief executive Susan Davy told Utility Week last month “the carrot not the stick” approach appeared to be resonating better with billpayers to use less water.
The company will continue to ask customers across its entire region to save water to help restore reservoir levels as much as possible heading into the spring and summer.
Davy, said: “Since launching our Stop the Drop customer initiative we have seen water consumption across Cornwall reduce at times compared to last year, but there is still more to be done. By making long-term changes to our water habits we can help our reservoirs continue to recover ahead of the spring and summer months.”
Awareness campaigns resulted in 79% of adults in Cornwall and Devon saying they would make long-term changes to reduce their usage. More than half (57%) took shorter showers last year to save water.
Drought was declared across the country in July and August leading to hosepipe bans for six water companies, which had not been required since 2012.
In some regions the freeze thaw caused a spike in pipes bursting resulting in demand increases that have added the strain on reservoirs.
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