North-west gardeners hit by hosepipe ban

North-west gardeners hit by hosepipe ban

» 7th July 2010 «

Gardeners in the north-west of England have been dealt a blow after it emerged that a hosepipe ban will be enforced in the region later this week.

United Utilities confirmed that the temporary ban, which starts on Friday (July 9th) and is the first in the area for 14 years, is necessary to maintain "essential supplies" of water.

The north-west has only experienced 300mm of rainfall in the past seven months, compared to the normal average of about 570mm between January and May.

Furthermore, the restrictions - which include Manchester and Liverpool - are being attributed to the UK witnessing its second-driest first half of the year for a century.

"Despite some recent rainfall in the north of the region, reservoir levels are still significantly lower than we would expect at this time of year," said John Sanders, water regulation and strategy manager at United Utilities.

"It is not a decision we have taken lightly but a hosepipe can use as much water in an hour as a family of four would use in one day."

Critics of the move have noted that areas of Cumbria were flooded in November 2009, but the north-west is vulnerable as it does not have enough large underground aquefiers for storing rainwater.

United Utilities customers in Carlisle, Allerdale, Copeland and the north Eden Valley will be exempt from the ban, as water supplies are adequate for these regions.

Posted by Gary Carter