‘We will remove the restrictions as soon as we are able’
Yorkshire Water has issued some welcome news amid the hosepipe ban. Reservoirs in Yorkshire have seen the largest weekly rise in over 30 years, it said.
The increase saw reservoir stocks rise to 45.6%, which is up 14.8% in the last seven days, thanks to heavy rainfall across the area. However, despite the good news, Yorkshire Water confirmed that reservoirs remain well below the 69.6% average for this time of year.
Groundwater levels and the region’s rivers also saw a significant increase in water levels. David Kaye, director of water services at Yorkshire Water, said that restrictions will be removed as soon as they are able.
He said: “The rainfall we’ve seen over the last seven days has had a significant impact – the largest weekly increase in stocks we’ve seen in 30 years. The rain over the last seven days has also recharged groundwater and the region’s rivers. The recharge of the rivers means we can enact our drought orders and permits to allow the reservoirs maximum recovery.
“While the increase in reservoir and groundwater stocks is positive and very welcome after the driest summer on record, our stocks are still well below where they should be at this time of year. We hope the reservoirs and groundwater will continue to recover through the autumn and winter months so we’re in a good position entering 2026.
“Despite the relief of the rainfall, we are continuing our efforts to tackle more than 800 leaks per week and lay over 1,000km of new water pipes over the next five years. The hosepipe restrictions remain in place and will be in effect until reservoir and groundwater levels have seen sufficient recovery. We’re hoping this will occur through usual autumn and winter rainfall and we will continue to monitor levels and remove the restrictions as soon as we are able.
“Once again we’d like to thank customers’ efforts to adhere to the restrictions and for those taking further steps to conserve water resources.”
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In July, Yorkshire Water announced a temporary restriction on the use of hosepipes. Since then activities such as using a hosepipe to water a garden, clean a car or water plants has been banned, unless you are exempt.
According to Yorkshire Water, the largest inflows of water over the last week were seen at Scar House reservoir, Nidderdale, Grimwith reservoir, Yorkshire Dales, Langsett reservoir, South Yorkshire and Digley reservoir, West Yorkshire.