Hosepipe ban update following heavy rain

19 July 2010

Lakes and reservoirs in West Cumbria have recovered following the deluge of rain over the past two weeks.

The weekend rainfall across the region was welcome, and confirmed the withdrawal of our drought permit application for Ennerdale Lake from the Environment Agency.

Ennerdale and Crummock - the key reservoirs supplying West Cumbria - are now full. Thirlmere and Haweswater reservoirs, in the Lake District saw an 8% increase in water levels rising from 50% a week ago, to 58% by Sunday night.

But, we are warning further sustained rainfall is required before all reservoirs fully recover. The north west has only seen two-thirds the normal average rainfall since April, much has simply started to re-wet the ground that had completely dried out due to the driest 7-months on record.

Reservoirs across the Pennines in Lancashire remain particularly low despite the recent storms in the county, with many still less than half full, the lowest since records began 74-years ago. Normally at this time of the year Pennine & Lake District reservoirs should be around 70% full.

Meanwhile, heavy rain across other parts of Cumbria during the past seven days helped river flows and lake levels to increase sufficiently enabling us to re-start their pumping stations at Lakes Windermere and Ullswater, the first time since Easter.

A spokesperson for UU said, "We're monitoring reservoir levels on a daily basis and we will lift the hosepipe ban as soon as all reservoirs recover to normal. There is more rain forecasted for the region, and whilst not great for summer, is welcomed to bring the driest start to the year back into balance."