09/07/2012

Final Four Hosepipe Bans Lifted

The final four hosepipe bans in England have been lifted.

South East Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Veolia Water Central and Veolia Water Southeast imposed the restrictions on water use in April.

The restrictions followed two unusually dry winters but end after "abnormally heavy rainfall" in recent weeks.

Officials said they had originally expected the bans to remain throughout the summer.

Anglian Water, Southern Water and Thames Water lifted their bans in June.

The announcement comes after a weekend in which a number of communities across Britain were hit by flooding following torrential downpours, and forecasters warn there is more rain on the way.

The four water companies said ground water supplies, which they were heavily dependent on, had recovered enough for the bans to be lifted.

In a joint statement, the four firms said: "The companies would all like to thank their customers for complying with the restrictions and supporting their plea to use water wisely.

"This has kept demand for water well below levels normally experienced at this time of year.

"Significant - or indeed any - recharge of underground resources at this time of year is most unusual but it follows the abnormally heavy rainfall experienced since spring which has finally brought to an end the severe drought after two dry winters."

(H/GK)


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