Water company asks us to 'use water wisely' with dry spell underway

The company, which has 2.7 million customers in the North East is asking people to think before reaching for paddling pools, hot tubs and hosepipes.

A paddling pool can use up to 450 litres of water; a hot tub up to 1,500 litres, which is the equivalent of 882 standard-sized kettles.

Research also showed that using a hosepipe for one hour can require 100 litres of water. However, keeping a water butt in your garden can collect up to 200 litres in a more environmentally-friendly way.

Last year a combination of record-breaking temperatures and the pandemic forcing people to holiday at home, led to a significant increase in demand.

There is no current water shortage, but the Met Office is forecasting a dry period for the coming days with temperatures set to rise over the weekend. Martin Lunn, head of water service planning at Northumbrian Water, is urging careful use of water as a precaution.

He said: “Although we might not see similar weather to last year, it’s still really important to be mindful of the water we use in order to protect our environment.

“In 2020, we saw a big increase in water demand during the summer, starting from the May bank holiday.

“Although we’re used to managing demand and have tried and tested plans in place, we still need customers to play their part by using water wisely, so that we can continue to manage supplies and keep the water flowing.

“Our water stores are healthy for this time of year, but using things like hot tubs or paddling pools can pull on our resources. So if you do decide to use things like this, make sure you get the best out of them.

“For example, if you’re using a paddling pool this weekend, you can re-use the water afterwards to water your plants or wash your car.

"Even small changes can make a big difference, so make sure you’re doing all you can to be mindful this summer, whatever the weather.”

For more information on how to save water, go to www.nwl.co.uk/summer

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