As the hot, dry weather continues this summer, most of us living in the Brentwood and Ongar constituency are under restrictions on how we use our water. Hosepipe bans are in place across the constituency from the various water companies serving the community, and we are being advised to save water as much as is practical.
Anglian Water have been in touch with me to advise we have still not received the sustained rainfall needed for the hosepipe ban to be lifted yet. Spring was one of the driest on record, and July saw only 3% of the rainfall we would typically expect. As a result, river levels, groundwater levels, and reservoir storage remain under significant pressure.
Thames Water have provided a list of water saving tips, which you can find in full here on my website.
Those who remember the summer of 1976 may recall standpipes being in place for drinking water to be collected, and those with enterprising parents probably had a hosepipe from the bath to a ‘grey water’ bin outside so bathwater could be reused on the garden. Some constituents have told me they are currently collecting shower water in a bucket so they can water the best plants and vegetables in the garden.
I am pleased so many people are saving water, and hope the water companies continue to improve the security of their water pipe network to reduce leaks and water main bursts. However, let’s all hope there’s some rain soon to take the pressure off households and our hard-working fire service.
