United Utilities announces it will impose a hosepipe ban in the north west of England – the first in the area for 14 years – as reservoir levels remain low.
The ban, whch could affect up to seven million people, will come into force on Friday, July 9.

It will apply to all customers in the north west of England, with the exception of Carlisle, Allerdale, Copeland and the north Eden Valley, where United Utilities say supplies remain at "reasonable levels".

United Utilities water regulation and strategy manager John Sanders commented: "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 and are now at a point where we need to impose some temporary restrictions on our customers."

He added: "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. This ban will help us to safeguard essential water supplies to our customers if the drought continues."

The ban will restrict the use of hosepipes or sprinklers for watering private gardens and washing private cars. It will still be possible to water gardens with a watering can and wash vehicles with a bucket and sponge - which typically use a fraction of the water a hosepipe or sprinkler would consume.

The recent rainfall in west Cumbria has eased the situation for customers who get their water supply from Ennerdale Water United Utilities has decided to place an application for a drought permit at Ennerdale on hold because the amount of available water has increased sufficiently.

However, the situation is not mirrored in other parts of the region, explains the water company, where reservoir levels remain low and United Utilities will apply for further drought permits for other sources in the region.

According to the water company's figures, the region has had the driest January to May period since its rainfall records began 74 years ago.

Mr Sanders concluded: "We will need much more significant rainfall before the position starts to turn around. We are asking customers to please observe the hosepipe ban and do what they can to save water in other areas of their daily lives."