Anglian Water: Hosepipe Ban

12 March 2012, 12:42 | Updated: 12 March 2012, 12:59

A hosepipe ban will be bought in across Cambridgeshire and Greater Peterborough next month.

Anglian Water is among seven water companies across the country bringing in bans due to the exceptionally dry weather.

The East of England has officially been in a drought since June 2011.

The ban on hosepipes in the Anglian Water area will begin on the 5th April.

Peter Simpson, Managing Director of Anglian Water, said: "This is the first time Anglian Water has imposed a hosepipe ban in more than 20 years, but we believe this is the most sensible and responsible action to take to help safeguard customer supplies for this year, next year and beyond.

Our region has had its driest 18 months for a century, including two dry winters which have robbed us of the rainfall we need to refill rivers, reservoirs and aquifers.

In addition to the hosepipe ban, we are asking our 4.2 million customers to help us save water at home, at work and in the garden. 

We are doing our bit too; millions of pounds are being spent to secure water supplies in the region and we are working with neighbouring water companies to help keep them secure across the wider South East and East."

According to Anglian Water, customers can still wash their cars as long as they use a bucket, and may still water their gardens provided they use a watering can.

Southern Water, South East Water, Thames Water, Sutton and East Surrey, Veolia Central and Veolia South East are the other six companies bringing in restrictions on water use

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said: "These temporary restrictions will help protect the public's water supply in the areas most affected by the record low levels of rainfall we have experienced over the last 17 months.

We can all help reduce the effects of drought by respecting these restrictions and being smarter about how we use water.

Taking action now to reduce how much water we use will help us all in the future.''