The chance of a hosepipe ban being introduced in Burnham-On-Sea is still very low despite this week’s soaring temperatures, Bristol Water said on Monday (July 17th).
The company that runs reservoirs in our area told Burnham-On-Sea.com that local water levels are in fact 20% better than at this time last year.
Spokesman Jeremy Williams said Cheddar Reservoir, which supplies Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge, is 86% full.
While this is a fall from the 99% level at the start of June, it is still seven per cent more than this time last year.
“Bristol Water remains confident that there will be no water use restrictions, such as hosepipe bans, in its supply area this summer, unlike those imposed in other areas of the country. There have been no hosepipe bans in this area since 1990,” said Mr Williams.
He added: “Despite the lack of any water shortage here, Bristol Water still continues to urge customers to help it by avoiding waste of water.”
June’s rainfall totalled 40.4mm – or 63% of the average – and so far in July 84.4mm has been recorded (75.6mm in one week) compared to the standard average for the whole month of 63mm.
The news comes as the Consumer Council for Water in the Wessex region called on Bristol Water to maintain consumer confidence and deliver value for money after the group announced a huge 46 per cent increase in profits on Monday (July 17th). Bristol Water’s operating profit soared to £24.9million for 2005-06.
Charles Howeson, Chairman of the Consumer Council for Water in the Western region, said: “Following an average price increase of 17% on customers’ bills in 2005-06, Bristol Water has reported a strong profit. It’s important that the company maintains consumer confidence by demonstrating that they are delivering value for money and investing in tangible benefits for their customers.”
CCWater is a statutory water consumer body that operates as a non-departmental public body reporting to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
