With the Met Office recently declaring that it’s been the driest February to April in England since 1956, Water Saving Week feels quite timely. However, with the warm temperatures expected to continue, questions are starting to be asked about water availability and hosepipe bans. But when is it actually time to worry? And how do water companies keep everything in check to make sure taps keep flowing?  Anglian Water’s Director of Water Services, Ian Rule answers some of our most frequently asked questions when temperatures soar.  

Myth #1: All our water comes from reservoirs 

Many people believe that all the water supplied to their homes comes from reservoirs. While reservoirs are indeed a significant source, they are just one part of a diverse network. In our region, your water starts its journey from 425 groundwater sources which is accessed through boreholes, our 8 reservoirs, including Rutland, Alton and Grafham, and 13 rivers. As there are strict limits on the amount of water we’re allowed to take to protect the environment, we rely on the rainfall over the winter period to replenish these sources so we can store enough water for our customers to use throughout the summer. 

This water is thoroughly cleaned and treated at one of our water treatment works before being pumped to customer taps through our vast network. A little known fact - we have enough clean water pipes to stretch to Sydney and back again! 

Myth #2: It’s been dry since March so there’s bound to be a hosepipe ban this year 

Not necessarily – while it’s clearly been dry this Spring, a few dry months doesn’t automatically give us cause for concern. After the wettest 18 months on record during the autumn and winter of 2023/24, and a healthy dose of rain during the first half of this winter, both groundwater and reservoir levels are in a tip-top position for the year ahead – with reservoirs across the region being over 90% full on average. 

Preparing for dry periods has been at the heart of our long-term planning since the 1990s. Because of a sustained investment in building this resilience, we've not had a hosepipe ban in over 12 years and aren’t currently forecasting one this year. However, that doesn’t mean we should take the water we have for granted – see Myth #3. 

Myth #3: We always have enough water to meet demand 

On a typical day, Anglian Water supplies more than a billion litres of water, which is treated at 140 water treatment works and distributed through over 37,000 kilometres of pipes. Despite this vast network of infrastructure, customer demand can fluctuate significantly, especially when it gets warm. Whether it’s filling paddling pools, watering the garden, or washing the car on hot days, the demand for water can skyrocket, leaving our ability to meet this demand stretched almost to its limit. 

If the speed at which customers use water outpaces our ability to supply it that’s when we can see pressure dips, especially during peak times. Our teams work hard to manage these fluctuations, but there are small things we can all do at home to help ease the pressure.

 
Myth #4: Water conservation isn’t necessary 

It’s easy to take turning on the tap for granted, especially when there’s enough water to go around, and no hosepipe ban in sight. However, conserving water is vital for ensuring a sustainable supply, meaning we can leave more water in the environment while keeping taps running, even on the hottest days. Whatever the weather, simple actions like turning the tap off when brushing your teeth, knocking a minute off your shower or swapping the hose for a water butt can make a significant difference. For more water saving tips visit our website. 

Myth #5: We wouldn’t need to worry if water companies had invested enough and fixed all their leaks. 

While it’s true that reducing leakage plays a role in water availability, the true is, there will always be leaks, in the same way there will always be roadworks, maintenance and upgrades are just part of the day job.  And despite sustained investment into the right infrastructure and leading the water industry with the lowest level of leakage by half, to keep water flowing over the last 20 years, there is still more to do. 

Living in the fastest growing region – where 700,000 more people will call their home by 2040, and at the forefront of climate change means the need for sustained, large scale investment is still critical. Work is continuing to complete our strategic pipeline by the end of the decade, and we’re also planning on two new reservoirs in our region.  But we also need to work with our customers to use less too – that’s why all our customers will have a smart meter in their home by 2030, so we can all better understand our water usage. 

So even though our water sources are stocked for this year, we still need to handle this finite resource with care and make sure we Love Every Drop.