Water demand spikes as hot weather and impacts of lockdown combine
Affinity Water is appealing to its customers to save water as it is predicting a significant increase in the demand for water this week with more people being at home and the hot weather.
With May's weather being exceptionally dry (the Colne catchment received just 4% of average rainfall in the month), groundwater levels and rivers flow across much of the Colne catchment are declining quickly. Lockdown measures put in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has meant that many people are working from home instead of commuting into London and so water use has been increasing in areas outside the city. To meet this additional demand, Affinity Water are treating and pumping additional water into the network, bringing in water from other areas and building up capacity.
However, with more hot, dry weather on the way and demand forecast to rise still further, Affinity Water is asking its customers to help reduce demand to make sure there is plenty of water for the essentials such as drinking, washing and cooking and also to help leave as much water in the Colne catchment's precious rivers and wetlands, as possible.
Ways in which everyone can help to reduce water demand include:
- Avoid using sprinklers and hosepipes – which can save an incredible 1,000 litres an hour!
- Only use the dishwasher and washing machine when they’re full – we are all at home creating more dishes so turning the dishwasher on only when its full can make a huge difference
- Turning off the tap every time you brush your teeth saves around six litres a minute.
- While waiting for tap water to get hot, collect the water in a bowl and use it to water the garden.
- Use washing up water to water your plants (washing up liquid will do no harm to your plants)
- Keep your shower to 4 minutes.
For more information, visit www.affinitywater.co.uk/highdemand
Affinity Water understands that this is a difficult time for some of its customers and has out a range of measures in place for people who have been affected by the Coronavirus outbreak – for more information visit www.affinitywater.co.uk/coronavirus