THE prolonged dry period has seen reservoir levels fall dramatically over the summer, and agencies are keeping a watchful eye on the situation.

Already one region in the south of England has been issued with a hose pipe ban. With mutterings of more to come. However, at the moment households in Teignbridge aren’t yet facing similar restrictions – but they are being warned to moderate their water usage. And with a rising population in Teignbridge, currently at 135,000 compared to 121,000 in 2001demand is oincresing year on year.

The trio of Kennick, Tottiford and Trenchford reservoirs near Hennock, and Fernworthy reservoir near Chagford feed Teignbridge. Last week their levels were standing at 57 per cent and 66 per cent respectively.

This time last year total SWW reserves were standing at some 86 per cent. In the last particularly dry – 1995 – levels stood at 68 per cent. This year, those same SWW reserves stand at just 55 per cent.

Coming out of the driest July since 1911, with last month seeing just 17 per cent of average rainfall and with no significant rainfall forecast for the near future, the authorities managing our water supplies have advised we now should cut back on water consumption.

River levels are particularly low and along stretches of the River Teign people being banned from swimming in diminished areas where shallow water levels are putting stress on fish stocks.

A spokesman for South West Water, which operates the reservoirs in Teignbridge, said: “Overall our reservoir levels are lower than usual for this time of year and river levels are below normal across the region. We always ask customers to think about their water usage and we are now urging customers to avoid non-essential water use such as filling paddling pools and using a hosepipe in the garden and for washing cars.’

‘While we have no immediate plans to implement water restrictions, the long period of unprecedented hot and dry weather we are experiencing means we are constantly reviewing our position and the extremely high levels of demand we are seeing.’ 

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: ‘We have regulatory duties with regard to reservoirs and their operation.

‘We’re in regular contact about the storage levels and how water resources are being managed. All three water companies in the South West say reservoir levels are quite low for the time of year and the recent hot spell increased demand. At the moment, however, none of these SW water companies have imposed hosepipe bans but are asking customers to reduce their use of water.’

Temporary use bans or hosepipe bans as they are widely known are decided by individual water companies and are one of many measures that water companies could consider to maintain water supply if needed.  

There are at present no plans for a nation-wide ban. 

The EA spokesman said: ‘Nationally, we are working with water companies, farmers and wider stakeholders to closely monitor water resources and ensure that the needs of water users and the environment are met.’ 

‘If a water company’s resources start to diminish as a result of a drought, the company will implement its Drought Plan. The plan outlines a series of actions that a water company can take to effectively manage the water resources available during a drought.  

They added: We work with water companies to ensure they are carrying out the preparatory work set out in these drought plans, including applying for drought permits as necessary.  Water companies plan for the expected increase in demand and reduction in effective rainfall over the warmer months and decide themselves on proposing water restrictions. We work closely with them to ensure they follow their plans.’