AS Devon was placed on Drought Status, South West Water warned it will ‘take the next step to introduce water restrictions’ if unprecedented levels dry weather and demand continue.

Restrictions have since been applied to parts of North Devon and Cornwall, effectively a hosepipe ban. Teignbridge had, by Tuesday, so far escaped this and there has been rain at the start of the week.

The National Drought Group, made up of senior decision makers from the Environment Agency, government, water companies and key representative groups, joined by Water Minister Steve Double, on Friday to announce drought status in response to the driest summer in 50 years and discussed the continued action needed.

South West Water has since issued a statement that there are no measures at the moment but urge people to save water and be careful?

‘We share water saving tips and advice with customers all year round urging everyone to play their part in avoiding non-essential water usage such as using a hosepipe in the garden or not running the tap when brushing teeth.

‘If we continue to experience an unprecedented and prolonged period of hot and dry weather, alongside extremely high levels of demand we will take the next step to introduce water restrictions to help reduce usage and to protect the environment.

‘We continue to review our position daily.

RESERVOIR LEVELS

WITH no sign of any meaningful rain on the horizon, Devon’s reservoir levels are dropping capacity according to figures released by the South West Lakes Trust.

For the week ending August 7 and just released by the trust, several local reservoirs have dropped below half capacity and are expected to continue falling as the prolonged dry weather continues.

In the Teign Valley the Kennick, Tottiford and Trenchford reservoirs were at a 46 % level with 918 million litres remaining of a total of 2,156 million litres.

Burrator Reservoir on southern Dartmoor is currently at 42% capacity with 1,777 million litres still remaining.

Levels are a little healthier at the Avon and Venford reservoirs that are on 77% and 70% respectively, while Meldon up on north Dartmoor is at 49%.