Recent rain welcome, but reservoir levels falling after hottest summer on record

Yorkshire experienced some welcome rainfall over recent days, but not enough to positively impact reservoir levels. 

Yorkshire’s reservoir levels now sit as 32.6%, well below the 72.7% average for this time of year, after an extremely dry spring and the hottest summer on record. 

Dave Kaye, Yorkshire Water’s director of water services, said: “Yorkshire is in drought following an extremely dry spring and the hottest summer on record. While the rain, which was heavy in some areas but short-lived, has been welcome, the majority has been taken up by the extremely dry ground, as well as plants and trees. 

“The rain has helped river levels in some areas, which will allow us to abstract from watercourses to take the strain off our reservoirs. This, combined with drought orders and permits that have been granted on the Ouse and Wharfe, as well as others we have applied for in the South and North-West of the region, will help to reduce the burden on reservoirs and enable reservoirs to recover quicker in the autumn and winter. 

“Customers adhering to the restrictions has also helped reduce domestic water usage by 10% and our smart meter rollout in Sheffield is helping to identify leaks on customers’ properties, helping them to save water and money on their bills.”