Drought continues in Devon

Drought continues, despite recent rain

We’re starting spring 2023 officially still in a drought, which doesn’t bode well for the year ahead unless there’s significant rainfall in coming months, weather experts say. The warning comes as the Met Office recorded the driest February in England for 30 years.

South West Water says the winter has seen increased rainfall, which has helped stabilise reservoir levels across the region, however, they remain lower than average for this time of year. While Wistlandpound Reservoir is full again, Roadford Lake (pictured below) which is the main supply for North Devon, is still just under 60% full.

David Harris, South West Water’s Drought and Resilience Director, said, “The South West’s water resources are under immense and increasing pressure. Our current system relies heavily on rainfall, and climate change has shown us that we need to be developing climateindependent sources of water.”

“We continue to take every step necessary to manage water resources carefully, fixing leaks, investing in new capacity and planning for all possible outcomes.”

They are still urging customers in North Devon to continue to save every drop of water where possible. A hosepipe ban remains in force in parts of Torridge and the whole of Cornwall.

South West Water is sharing water saving tips and is offering free devices as part of its Save Every Drop campaign.

Day to day activities around the house can use a lot of water from 50 litres a cycle on a washing machine, up to 9 litres every time you flush the loo, to using 14 litres for a dishwasher cycle or even 30 litres for handwashing dishes.

Water saving tips can be found online here: southwestwater.co.uk/services/savewater/#/