Anglian Water reveals whether rain will end hosepipe ban

Anglian Water has revealed whether the recent rainfall in Suffolk will bring an end to the hosepipe ban <i>(Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)</i>
Anglian Water has revealed whether the recent rainfall in Suffolk will bring an end to the hosepipe ban (Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)
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Anglian Water has revealed whether the recent rainfall in Suffolk will bring an end to the hosepipe ban.

The ban, introduced on Saturday, July 11, is the first in the region since 2012 and followed weeks of extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 35C.

It prohibits the use of hosepipes for watering gardens, cleaning private vehicles or filling or maintaining swimming pools, paddling pools and hot tubs.

In Suffolk, heavy rain is forecast overnight, followed by scattered showers on Tuesday.

From Wednesday to Friday, there will be sunny spells between showers, which could be heavy at times, with a risk of hail and thunder.

A spokesman for Anglian Water said: "While any rainfall is welcome in the East of England at the moment, a few days of wet weather won't reverse the effects of many months of exceptionally dry conditions.

"Despite a couple of wet winter months, the East of England has experienced its second driest spring on record this year, and July was the UK’s sunniest and driest on record, with just 0.8mm of rainfall on average across the East of England (1% of the long-term average rainfall expected for this time of year).

"These sources take time to recover and require sustained periods of rainfall over a much longer period, typically during the autumn and winter months.

"Rainfall during hotter, drier periods is also less effective because hard, dry ground absorbs less water, making it more difficult to replenish groundwater supplies.

"We're continuing to closely monitor conditions and restrictions will remain in place for as long as they're needed to help protect water supplies and the environment.

"The sooner water resources recover, the sooner restrictions can be lifted.

"We'd like to thank customers for their continued support.

"Every litre saved helps protect our region's water resources and gives rivers, reservoirs and groundwater a better chance to recover."

Despite the restrictions, Anglian Water said no one has been fined.

The spokesman added: "The vast majority of customers have been playing their part by putting their hosepipes down and we've already seen demand for water drop as a result.

"If we do get any reports of people using their hosepipes, and those customers aren't exempt from the ban, we'll usually start by reminding them about the restrictions and helping them understand why they're in place.

"In serious or repeated cases, customers could face a fine of up to £1,000, but we're not at that stage with anyone yet."

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