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05/04/2012
Hosepipe Bans Enforced Across Drought Areas
Seven companies are imposing a hosepipe ban on its customers following the driest two years in its region since records began.
Suppliers Thames, Southern, South East, Anglian, Sutton and East Surrey, Veolia Central and Veolia South East have all introduced the measure urging people to use less water now to ensure there is enough to go around later in the year.
People who flout the bans face fines of up to £1,000.
Helen Chivers, forecaster at the Met Office, said: "March saw a continuation of the dry weather, with the UK having its fifth driest March on record, recording just 38% (nationwide) of average rainfall for the month.
"The weather has changed dramatically from the very warm sunshine of last week. We are now in a spell of much more changeable weather and all parts can expect to see some rain over the Easter weekend and next week."
Martin Baggs, chief executive of Thames Water, said: "Since announcing our plans at the start of March to impose water restrictions, we have had yet another very dry month. We have now received below-average rainfall across our region for 20 of the past 25 months, making it the driest two-year period since records began in 1884.
"Imposing restrictions on the use of hosepipes, although regrettable, is the most sensible and responsible next step in encouraging everyone to use less water so we can maintain supplies for as long as it stays dry, and reduce the risk of more serious restrictions later in the year.
"While breaching the ban is a criminal offence, the last thing we want to have to do is prosecute people. We are rather asking people to work with the ban, not against it, appealing for our customers’ understanding, co-operation and help in using this precious resource as sparingly as possible."
(GK)
Suppliers Thames, Southern, South East, Anglian, Sutton and East Surrey, Veolia Central and Veolia South East have all introduced the measure urging people to use less water now to ensure there is enough to go around later in the year.
People who flout the bans face fines of up to £1,000.
Helen Chivers, forecaster at the Met Office, said: "March saw a continuation of the dry weather, with the UK having its fifth driest March on record, recording just 38% (nationwide) of average rainfall for the month.
"The weather has changed dramatically from the very warm sunshine of last week. We are now in a spell of much more changeable weather and all parts can expect to see some rain over the Easter weekend and next week."
Martin Baggs, chief executive of Thames Water, said: "Since announcing our plans at the start of March to impose water restrictions, we have had yet another very dry month. We have now received below-average rainfall across our region for 20 of the past 25 months, making it the driest two-year period since records began in 1884.
"Imposing restrictions on the use of hosepipes, although regrettable, is the most sensible and responsible next step in encouraging everyone to use less water so we can maintain supplies for as long as it stays dry, and reduce the risk of more serious restrictions later in the year.
"While breaching the ban is a criminal offence, the last thing we want to have to do is prosecute people. We are rather asking people to work with the ban, not against it, appealing for our customers’ understanding, co-operation and help in using this precious resource as sparingly as possible."
(GK)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
