South West Water issues heatwave warning as demand soars
Customers in Mid and East Devon are being urged to restrict water use to essential purposes as soaring temperatures push demand up by four million litres a day.
South West Water is urging customers in parts of Devon to use water only for essential purposes as the ongoing heatwave continues to place exceptional pressure on the region's drinking water network.
The water company has issued the advice to customers in Cullompton, Tiverton, Honiton, Axminster and Lyme Regis, where demand has risen by around four million litres every day during the prolonged spell of hot, dry weather.
While Torbay is not currently included in the advisory area, South West Water is encouraging all customers across the region to use water wisely as high temperatures continue.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber heat-health alert for the South West, with temperatures expected to remain well above average.
David Harris, Managing Director for Water Services at South West Water, said the company's Allers Water Treatment Works was operating at full capacity to keep supplies flowing.
"The prolonged hot weather over the last few weeks has resulted in exceptionally high demand on our drinking water network in Mid Devon and parts of East Devon," he said.
"Through the ongoing 24/7 efforts of our local team, our Allers Water Treatment Works is continuing to produce water at its maximum capacity.
"To help protect water supplies across the network and reduce the risk of supply interruptions, we're asking customers to only use water for anything that is essential until temperatures begin to drop. We all need to use water wisely in these extreme conditions."
South West Water said it is also bringing in additional measures, including water tankers, rerouting supplies around the network, deploying extra resources to repair leaks and working with businesses to reduce water consumption.
The company said "essential use" includes drinking, cooking, personal hygiene, sanitation and necessary clothes washing.
Although the advisory currently applies only to parts of Mid and East Devon, South West Water is encouraging all households to reduce unnecessary water use by taking shorter showers, turning off taps while brushing teeth, only running full washing machine and dishwasher loads, watering gardens in the early morning or evening, and checking for leaks around the home.
The company said using water carefully during periods of prolonged hot weather can help protect supplies and reduce pressure on the network.