Cambridgeshire hosepipe ban to remain in place for ‘several months’

Water companies say that despite the rain, reservoir levels are still low

Cambridgeshire water companies have provided a major update on hosepipe bans – as the county continues to recover from a record-breaking summer. This summer was one of the hottest on record, with temperatures exceeding 30C and a drought officially declared.

As a result, Cambridge Water and Anglian Water put hosepipe bans in place. The water companies have both said that despite recent rainfall, the bans will remain in place.

Anglian Water anticipates the ban to last for “several months”. An Anglian Water spokesperson said: “Our region is on course to experience its driest spring and summer period since records began in 1899, and this summer is also likely to be the hottest on record for England.

“The Environment Agency declared a drought for the East of England at the end of July, with the rest of the Anglian Water region being moved to drought status on August 10.

“After no significant rain for the last few months – with our region seeing just three per cent of the usual rainfall in July – it will take a long time, probably several months, to recover from this drought.”

Cambridge Water said the task of replenishing water sources is just at the “start of the recovery process”.

A spokesperson added: “Hosepipe restrictions remain in place for Cambridge Water customers. Water sources take much longer to replenish than it takes for the rain to fall, so while the recent wet weather has helped, it is just the start of the recovery process.

“We’re monitoring conditions every day and will remove the restrictions as soon as it is responsible and safe to do so. In the meantime, we’d like to thank customers for their ongoing support and efforts to use water wisely.”

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