Words by Tania Flasck, director of Water Operations
Keeping water flowing during hotter, drier summers requires investment, planning and action from us. That's why we're working hard to reduce leaks, manage water supplies and make sure water is available where it's needed most across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
One of the biggest questions we're asked during dry weather is about leaks, and customers rightly expect us to be doing everything possible to reduce water loss.
Leakage is down 23 per cent since 2023, and since January we've repaired almost 3,500 leaks across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, saving around 40 million litres of water every day.
Since the hosepipe ban was introduced in July, we've also recovered more than 12.5 million litres of water, enough to fill five Olympic sized swimming pools. We're working around the clock and using innovative technology to find hidden leaks and repair them as quickly as possible.
Alongside reducing leakage, our teams continually monitor demand, move water around our network and increase supplies where possible to help keep water flowing to homes and businesses.
During prolonged dry weather, we rely more heavily on groundwater and carefully manage where water comes from to maintain supplies whilst protecting the environment.
The recent heatwaves have got a lot of us talking about water. When temperatures rise, demand can increase significantly as people water gardens, fill paddling pools and take extra showers to cool down. We're grateful to customers who are being mindful of their water use during these periods, helping to reduce pressure on supplies and protect the environment.
At the same time, we're facing a long-term challenge.
Hotter, drier summers and a growing population are putting increasing pressure on water supplies. Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are also home to the internationally important River Test and River Itchen, rare chalk streams that support unique wildlife and habitats.
To help protect these rivers, strict abstraction licences limit how much water can be taken from them, particularly during dry periods when water levels are low. These protections are essential, but they can also reduce the amount of water available from some sources when demand is highest.
As dry conditions continue, balancing customer demand, water supply and environmental protection is becoming increasingly challenging. That's one of the reasons a hosepipe ban is currently in place across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
We know restrictions like these can be frustrating, but they are not introduced lightly. They help reduce pressure on water supplies, protect the environment and lower the risk of more severe shortages if dry conditions persist.
Alongside the work we're doing today, we're investing in long-term solutions, including Havant Thicket Reservoir and major water transfer schemes to strengthen supplies and improve resilience for future generations.
Our job is to keep water flowing today whilst preparing for the challenges of tomorrow so homes, businesses and the environment have the water they need, whatever the weather brings.
Find out more here:
Share