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Press Release

Hot weather puts pressure on water supply

24 June 2010

Did you know that:

• We've had the driest first five months of the year since before England last won the World Cup?
• We've had just over half the rainfall we would normally expect between March and May?
• Peak demand for water expected this weekend as temperatures soar
• The forecast says more dry and warm weather ahead

All of the above is inevitably going to put pressure on our reservoir levels so if this dry weather continues, Severn Trent wants its customers to play a part in making sure we continue to have a constant supply of water throughout the summer.

David Essex, water strategy manager for Severn Trent Water, commented:
"A hosepipe ban for Severn Trent customers is a long way off yet, but it has been the driest start to the year for a long time. We often take for granted simple things like turning on the shower, or putting the washing machine on and as a water company we must have plans in place to ensure we can cope with supply and demand whatever the weather.

"We recognise the need to constantly focus on doing all we can as a water company, but it’s important that we all take steps make sure we are careful with what we use, particularly with hosepipes and sprinklers. For example, established lawns and grassed areas generally do not need watering to survive a dry spell.

"I know it can be tempting to put the sprinkler on during dry weather but sprinklers and hosepipes typically use up to as much as 1,000 litres of drinking water (220 gallons) per hour – that’s more than a family of four use in a whole day!"

In addition, there are many ways we can become more efficient in the way we use water, so the company has put together some simple tips, which are very easy to incorporate into busy lifestyles:

• Use showers (average 30 litres a time) instead of taking a bath (100 litres)
• Water plants in the evening – it'll be more effective as less water will evaporate
• If you've got one, turn off your lawn sprinkler – your grass is tough enough to survive
• Wash your car with a bucket and sponge, not a hosepipe – or just wash the windows, lights and mirrors
• Water plants from rainwater butts

In addition why not share these tips with your friends and family to help them understand how they can be water efficient too.

For further information on water saving and water saving products visit www.stwater.co.uk/savewater



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Severn Trent Water

Severn Trent Water

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