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'Let it rain' as levels plunge
WATER levels of reservoirs supplying water to Sheffield have plunged - leading to warnings on water usage.
The driest start to the year since 1929 has left the three supplying reservoirs, Ladybower, Howden and Derwent, at a combined 63 per cent capacity - with Ladybower 65 per cent, Howden 55 per cent and Derwent less then half capacity.
Severn Trent, the company in charge of the reservoirs, has said it does not plan to restrict water use but urged customers to be more careful with the amount they use.
Fraser Pithie, senior operations manager at Severn Trent, said: "While it might not be a popular thing to wish for during the summer holidays, what we need is more rain, spread over several days and weeks, so the reservoirs across the region can be replenished.
"When it's raining outside it's hard to think about conserving water, but it's really important, and we can all do something to help - whether it's turning off that hose pipe, fixing the dripping tap, taking a shorter shower or using the dishwasher only when it's full."
The capacity levels in reservoirs for last month are down 14 per cent on last year.
Yorkshire Water, the other water company that serves Sheffield, said its water stores across the region were at 64 per cent capacity - but reassured customers it would not be imposing hose pipe bans.
Clare Dunlop, from Yorkshire Water, said: "We are encouraging our customers to use water wisely.
"We have invested 300m in a unique network of pipes that allows us to transfer water underground from east to west and north to south to where it is needed. Although this is great at enabling us to balance our water resources, we want customers to play their part and think twice before they waste any water."
An Environment Agency spokesperson warned: "Angling groups may struggle to maintain fish stocks in rivers. Too many fish in less water will lead to a lack of oxygen, so fish could move further downstream, away from where they are usually found."
Yorkshire Water figures show Sheffield and Rotherham consume an average of 270 million litres of water per day - the equivalent of 108 Olympic swimming pools.
But forecasters predicted plenty of rain over the coming week with low pressure set to dominate for up to six days.
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Weather for Sheffield
Thursday 23 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: West
