As the scorching weather subsides after last week's record temperatures, one of our local water companies, Affinity Water, is urging customers to avoid all non-essential water use now to conserve reservoir supplies for everyone in the community. Areas where particular care is needed include Kelvedon Hatch, Chipping ONgar and High Ongar.
Demand for water has surged during the hot weather, with the volume of water Affinity Water is having to supply to meet demand increasing significantly from 950 million litres a day to 1100 million litres per day.
The water supplier is working around the clock to maintain supplies and pressure but is appealing for urgent help from the community to avoid non-essential water use immediately. This includes using hosepipes and sprinklers, so if you can 'spot water' your plants and vegetables, and let the grass go a little bit brown for a while, you'll help conserve water.
You can find advice on how to reduce water wastage here.
Affinity Water has warned customers may notice a lower water pressure than normal as its teams work around the clock to keep water flowing for everyone. The company is trying to avoid this wherever it can by:
- Making sure its treatment works and pumps are working at maximum capacity
- Working to reduce leaks and filling up storage reservoirs as much as possible
- Teams are working around the clock to pump extra water into the network to where it's needed most.
- Working closely with businesses and our highest water users to help them to reduce water wastage.
- And it is giving all our customers, the tools and information they need to waste less water and help protect our local streams this summer.