Latest water resources update
Updated March 2024
Rainfall update:
The Wessex region received 130 mm of rainfall in March which is well above the monthly average. Overall, the rain received in the last six months (October to March) has been 159% of the long-term average.
Reservoirs update:
Our surface reservoirs remain full due to the sustained wet period over the last 6 months and are above average for the time of year. At the end of March storage was 100% of total capacity.
Groundwater update:
Groundwater levels at all monitoring sites are well above average for March.
Rivers and streams update:
River flows are monitored on a daily basis to ensure stream supports are switched on as the appropriate flow triggers are reached. Stream supports are helping to improve river flows in the following locations (as of 4/12/2023):
- Watergates (6.5 Ml/d into Tadnoll Brook, Dorset).
Helping customers to use water wisely
Water is a precious but finite resource. The more water we use, the more water we have to abstract from the environment and treat. We must leave as much water as possible in the environment, particularly during dry weather and droughts.
We are committed to helping customers to reduce their water use. We offer free water efficiency devices to our customers and also provide useful tips on how to reduce water use both in the home and garden. Using water wisely can reduce customers' utility bills and help their local environment.
Types of water sources
Around 97% of the water on Earth is salt water and the remaining 3% is freshwater. While all kinds of water resources are important for the survival of the planet, accessible freshwater is especially important for humans.
These are our main freshwater sources:
Rainfall:
Rainwater is a relatively clean water source, but it can become contaminated once it hits the ground, which is why we treat it before supplying it to customers. Rainwater harvesting also plays an important role in reducing pressure on the water network.
Reservoirs:
Reservoirs are constructed lakes or bodies of water designed to store rainwater before it is transported to water treatment centres. Once cleaned, this water is then supplied to homes and businesses.
Groundwater:
Groundwater can be found beneath the Earth’s surface in the cracks and spaces between soil, sand and rock. We use boreholes, which have been sunk up to 120 meters underground, to pump this water to the surface.
Rivers and streams:
Rivers and streams provide many benefits to humans and are important habitats for plants and animals. They also carry water, organisms, gases and nutrients to areas that need them, as well as draining nearly 75% of the Earth's land surface.
Regional water resources
There is a new requirement for water companies to work together to produce regional water resource plans and, where possible, assess the potential to move water from areas of excess to areas of deficit.
More information on the group can be found at our dedicated West Country Water Resources website.
We are working together to produce our first Regional Water Resources Plan which will be published this year.
In addition to producing a regional plan, regulators require us to investigate the feasibility of three potential regional schemes over the next five year period.
Water Resources Management Plan