South West Water reports that Devon and Cornwall are experiencing some of the driest conditions in nearly 90 years (SWW). As a result, reservoir levels in both counties are lower than necessary as summer approaches. For Cornwall and parts of North Devon, a temporary use ban (hosepipe ban) has been implemented to reduce water pressure.
End of March 2021, SWW reported that the Colliford reservoir in Cornwall was at 57% capacity, compared to 79% at the same time last year. Devon’s Roadford reservoir was at 64% capacity compared to 96% in 2020. In contrast, the Wimbleball reservoir in Somerset, located on Exmoor, was at capacity.
SWW has offered customers in Cornwall £30 off their bills when the level of the Colliford reservoir reaches 30 percent full by the end of 2021 in an effort to reduce water consumption and raise the level. SWW has thanked customers for their efforts to reduce water demand, but has also urged them to continue conserving water in every way possible.
South West Water supplies Cornwall, Devon, and small portions of Dorset and Somerset with water and sewage. With the current drought persisting, it is imperative that everyone continues to reduce their water consumption and help preserve the already low water levels in Devon and Cornwall’s strategic reservoirs.
