Latest news with #waterrestriction
BBC News
a day ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Hosepipe ban: How will it affect me in Sussex and Kent?
A ban on using hosepipes has been announced in South East England as more than 1.4 million people living in Kent and Sussex are due to be affected, with those in parts of Surrey being asked to conserve enforced by South East Water from 18 July, it follows a ban from Yorkshire Water which began 11 July - the first of 2025 - with Thames Water planning a ban from 22 comes as the UK has experienced three heatwaves so far this year, with the BBC Weather Centre confirming 1 July as the hottest day of the year when 35.8C was recorded in Faversham, the heatwaves over and hosepipe bans coming into place, here is how they could affect you. What is a hosepipe ban? A hosepipe ban, also known as a Temporary Use Ban, is a restriction on using hosepipes imposed by water companies to try and save water during periods of high demand or low East Water's ban means that people living in certain areas are not allowed to use a hosepipe to:Water a garden or plantsWash a car, patio or boatFill a swimming pool, paddling pool or hot tubMaintain or fill a domestic pond or ornamental fountainThis is to ensure enough water is saved for drinking, for those who are vulnerable and for essential breaking these rules could be fined up to £1,000. Areas in the South East affected? Areas in Kent and Sussex with hosepipe restrictions include:Ashford (Kent)CanterburyEastbourneHaywards HeathHeathfieldMaidstoneSevenoaksTunbridge WellsUckfieldWhitstablePeople in Farnham, Frimley and Camberley are also being asked to reduce their morning and evening water use to prevent low pressure issues at peak when the ban will be lifted, South East Water said: "It is likely that it will continue until we are confident that the demand for water has reduced back to manageable levels."Southern Water, SES Water, and Affinity Water previously told the BBC they do not expect to introduce water use restrictions, such as hosepipe bans, in 2025. Hosepipe exemptions? South East Water says some exemptions apply for when hosepipes may be used:To provide a service to customers, including for crop farming and car, boat or window washing businessesWhen topping up a fishpond where the welfare of the fish depends on itTo fill pools needed for medical treatmentWhen watering a new lawn within 28 days of it being laidTo fill a fountain used for religious practicesWhen it is not connected to mains water, such as using a water butt Why are hosepipe bans happening? The South East, in addition to other areas across the UK, has experienced an extended period of warm and dry in 2025 proved to be the second driest on record for England and the sixth overall across the analysis shows that spring is the fastest-warming season in the United Kingdom largely down to climate change.A report by Climate Central, a climate research organisation, has found that all four seasons are warming but at different rates. An expert in Earth's water, Dr Jess Neumann from the University of Reading, says despite some recent heavy downpours, there has not been enough rain to compensate for recent heatwaves."Whilst groundwater levels are currently normal in the region, it takes much longer for rainfall to reach groundwater stores compared with rivers and reservoirs," Dr Neumann South East is largely reliant these groundwater sources rather than East Water said it saw the highest levels of water usage so far on 30 June, reaching 680 million litres - over 105 million litres of water a day more than the summer water provider says it is taking action to prevent its water stocks from depleting further, being concerned over the impact further extraction will have on the environment.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Regional Water issues mandatory water rationing, water sources below capacity
AVOCA, Iowa — Regional Water issued a Level Red water restriction advisory just days after issuing a boil advisory across several southwest Iowa counties. Regional Water, based in Avoca, Iowa, issued the boil advisory on May 10. Regional Water has service connections across Shelby, and portions of Pottawattamie, Harrison, Audubon, and Cass Counties. This does not include the Urban Bluffs area. The advisory was placed due to depressurization in their water towers, causing a risk of bacteria. Residents were encouraged to use boiled water or bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, and food preparation. ISU President Wintersteen retires after 40 years with the school On Wednesday, Pottawattamie County notified residents that the Regional Water Rural Water Association (RWRWA) had issued a Level Red advisory for those served by the Avoca Treatment Plant. This is an escalation, as a yellow alert was placed by RWRWA on April 18, 2025. Pottawattamie County says more than half of Avoca residents were without water service on Wednesday and says additional outages are likely. The advisory was put in place due to continued drought conditions and below-average rainfall. Water sources are operating at less than 60% capacity according to Pottawattamie County. Effective immediately, the following restrictions are in place: No outdoor watering of lawns, gardens, or landscapes. No washing of vehicles, driveways, sidewalks, or buildings. No filling or refilling of swimming pools, hot tubs, or ornamental fountains. Restaurants may only serve water upon request. Lodging facilities must offer guests the option to reuse linens and towels. All leaks must be repaired within 48 hours of detection. Water use for construction purposes is restricted to essential activities only. Residents in the area are also encouraged to take shorter showers, turn off taps while brushing teeth and only run the dishwasher and washing machines with full loads. Neither the boil advisory nor the mandatory water rationing has an expected end date. To learn more about the boil advisory, water restriction, or ongoing outages, contact the RWRWA office at 712-343-2413. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
