Severn Trent Issues Autumn Water-Saving Tips Amid Drought Concerns

Strategic Insights -

Severn Trent has issued a warning for customers to be mindful of their water usage through autumn to help reservoirs return to their normal levels, after national experts warned of potential drought conditions in England through 2026 due to a record dry and warm summer. The National Drought Group (NDG) has stated that England needs at least 100% of average rainfall (482mm) to largely recover from drought by the end of March next year. Severn Trent has already been taking measures to reduce leakage and invest in new pipes, but urges customers to take simple steps to save water.

Key Takeaways:

  • Severn Trent has issued seven autumn water-saving tips for customers to help reduce water usage and support reservoir refill.
  • The National Drought Group (NDG) has warned that England may experience drought conditions in 2026 unless there is significant rainfall this autumn and winter.
  • Severn Trent has reduced leakage by a record 16% in the last five years and invested £420m in laying over 800 miles of new pipes across the region.
  • The company has handed out 8,000 water-saving devices to customers at community events, helping save over 100,000 litres of water per day.
  • Customers can install a water meter to gain control of their water usage and potential savings.
  • Turning off taps while brushing, fixing leaks promptly, using water-efficient fixtures, trying a shower timer, running full loads, and lagging pipes before winter are all recommended water-saving tips.
  • Doug Clarke, Water Resources Planning Lead at Severn Trent, emphasizes the importance of taking simple steps to help reservoirs refill over autumn and winter.

Statistics:

  • The UK experienced a record dry and warm summer, with drastically lower than average rainfall so far this year.
  • England needs at least 100% of average rainfall (482mm) by the end of March next year to largely recover from drought.
  • £420m has been invested by Severn Trent in laying over 800 miles of new pipes across the region.
  • 8,000 water-saving devices have been handed out by Severn Trent to customers at community events, helping save over 100,000 litres of water per day.
  • A shower timer can help reduce shower time and subsequently lower water and energy bills.
  • Running full loads in dishwashers and washing machines can increase efficiency and save water.

Sources:

  • UK saw a record dry and warm summer ("..."had also followed a sizzling spring with drastically lower than average rainfall so far this year").
  • National Drought Group (NDG) (England needs at least 100% of average rainfall to largely recover from drought by the end of March next year).
  • Severn Trent (issued seven autumn water-saving tips, reduced leakage by 16%, invested £420m in new pipes, handed out 8,000 water-saving devices).
  • Doug Clarke, Water Resources Planning Lead at Severn Trent ("...climate change, experts say droughts like we experienced this year could happen more often").