Huge surge in demand for water expected in Wales due to scorching temperatures
Welsh Water has urged people to avoid wasting water during the heatwave
Temperatures of 33°C are forecast for this Saturday
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
Welsh Water has warned it is expecting a huge increase of 20% in demand for water this weekend, during the third heatwave of the summer.
It has urged people "to avoid wasting water" and not be complacent with supplies, and instead protect them and the environment.
According to The Met Office, Friday through Sunday is meant to see temperatures of 30°C every day in Wales, with Saturday expected to reach a scorching 33°C with very high UV and pollen levels also forecast. You can read more on that here.
The sweltering temperatures follow the driest spring on record and England's warmest June on record.
Ahead of the weekend, the water company is already seeing a "sustained spike in demand".
The Met Office wrote: "High pressure continues to bring strong sunshine by day and humid, rather muggy nights over the weekend. Cooler and cloudier from Monday, with a few heavy showers possible at times."
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Last month, Welsh Water announced a 'Developing Drought' status for Mid & South Ceredigion along with parts of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire after reservoir levels became lower than were normally seen at that time of year. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
Alongside telling customers not to waste water during the blistering heat, the company has also warned against swimming in unauthorised reservoirs despite a refreshing dip seeming appealing.
The water suppliers explained that on a normal day they treated and supplied roughly 850 mega litres of fresh, clean water to people in Wales - this is equivalent to 320 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
However, last time it was over 30°C this was over 970 mega litres a day due to activities like filling up pools and using sprinklers.
Ian Christie, managing director of Water Services at Welsh Water, said: "We want everyone to enjoy the warm weather, staying safe and hydrated.
"Please don't be tempted to swim in unauthorised reservoirs, they can be full of hidden dangers and machinery which can operate at any time and create currents that pull in even the strongest of swimmers.
"While we will do all that we can, we're asking customers to help their communities by playing their part to avoid wasting water, saving it wherever possible.
"Garden sprinklers, for example, are one of the biggest consumers of water in the garden as they use on average 1,000 litres of water every hour. This is the equivalent of what a typical family would use inside the house in two days.
"Another way customers can help is by reporting any leaks to us which they may notice so that we can get a team out straight away to look at it. By working together in this way, we can help ensure that we keep the water flowing through the summer."
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