Why Northumbria Water has not called a hosepipe ban

May 16, 2023

Northumbrian Water is transferring water from the Tyne to the Wear for the first time in 16 years, but it is confident a hosepipe ban can be avoided

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Northumbrian Water is not expecting to introduce restrictions on water use, despite transferring water from the Tyne to the Wear for the first time in 16 years as the dry spell continues.

The ongoing dry spell has led to hosepipe bans being announced as far north as Yorkshire, while drought has been declared in parts of the South West, parts of southern and central England, and the East of England. This summer has been England's driest for 50 years, and in some parts the driest on record.

Three water companies – Welsh Water, Southern Water, and South East Water – have all imposed hosepipe bans, while Yorkshire Water has announced a ban will start on August 26 and Thames Water is planning one in the coming weeks.

Read more:Northumbrian Water does not expect to call for a hosepipe ban

But in the North East, Northumbrian Water, which supplies Northumberland, County Durham and Tyne and Wear, including the cities of Newcastle, Durham and Sunderland, does not expect to bring in restrictions on water use.

Keith Haslett, Water Director at Northumbrian Water, said “We are not anticipating the need for any restrictions on water usage this summer, however we are keeping a close watch on the situation and our teams are planning ahead for the rest of summer into Autumn, as the winter recharge will be important.

“As an environmentally responsible company, we are monitoring and carefully managing the resources we take from the environment and to help protect the region, we are encouraging our customers to use water wisely and preserve precious resources where they can. The smallest changes really do make the biggest difference.

“The teams are working incredibly hard to make sure that our reservoirs can recover over the autumn period, and this will help us to ensure that we can keep the water flowing for customers throughout winter and into next year.”

Water customers subject to hosepipe bans are banned from using a hosepipe to water their gardens, clean their vehicles, fill their swimming pools or water fountains, clean patios or any artificial outdoor surfaces, clean a private leisure boat, or clean the windows and walls of their homes.

A “hosepipe” means anything designed, adapted or used to serve the same purpose as a hosepipe. This means garden sprinklers and most irrigation systems, connected to the mains water supply, are all considered to be hosepipes, together with anything attached to them like pressure washers.

Watering cans are allowed for garden work. Basically, people can not use a pipe - or substitute for a pipe - that is hooked up to the mains water supply Those caught breaking the rules can be fined £1,000

Northumbrian Water says demand is high and levels are lower than usual in its reservoirs. The North East has experienced just 12% of its average level of rainfall for August, PA news has reported, and demand for water is up by 20%, Northumbrian Water says.

Despite that, the region has not been as dry as other parts of England. Some have had 0% of their average rainfall so for August so far this month.

Northumbrian Water says there are "enough water resources in the North East for the long term", thanks in part to Northumberland having the largest man-made reservoir in the UK, Kielder Water. It holds 200,000 megalitres and can transfer water to the Tyne, Wear and Tees thanks to the Tyne-Wear Transfer schemes, which are a series of pumping stations and tunnels.

In order to maintain the health of the region’s rivers, Transfer Scheme is moving around 30 million litres of water per day from Kielder reservoir into the River Wear. The water diversion, which started on Thursday, is the first between the Tyne and Wear in 16 years.

Northumbrian Water adds: "In addition to Kielder, we have many other impounding upland reservoirs which store water in the winter for use in the summer. Our fantastic teams work incredibly hard all year round to keep the water flowing for customers.

"Nevertheless, it's still really important for us all to use water wisely so we can leave as much water in the environment as possible."

Hosepipe bans are rarer in the North East - Northumbrian Water did not introduce one in 2018 when other companies did - because the region is cooler and has more rainfall than other parts of the country. Those factors, in addition to Northumberland and County Durham's reservoir capacity, mean restrictions are not required as often.

Northumbrian Water has tips for saving water in the summer, in gardens and homes:

Head here for more information from Northumbrian Water about how to use water wisely.