Water restrictions 'increasingly likely' (From Witney Gazette)

Water restrictions 'increasingly likely'

3:02pm Monday 27th February 2006 in Witney By Samantha Simpson

THAMES Water has refused to predict when water restrictions would be in force across Oxfordshire, despite warnings of a serious drought risk.

The county's water supplier has been issuing warnings about possible hosepipe bans for almost a year, and the Environment Agency warned it should bring in hosepipe bans by early April.

But Thames Water refused to be drawn on when the county would face a ban, simply saying that it was 'increasingly likely' if dry weather continues.

An Environment Agency report warns there is a 'significant risk' to public water supply in south-east England, including Oxfordshire, after months of below-average rainfall.

The agency said the region could be facing one of the most serious droughts in 100 years.

In its Drought Prospects 2006 report, it warns that it is 'imperative' for water companies to act now by introducing hosepipe bans, fixing leaks as quickly as possible, and working with industries to cut water usage.

But Thames Water spokesman, Chris Shipway, said: "Clearly people aren't using hosepipes in gardens at this time of year, so a hosepipe ban might not be that effective at the moment."

Mr Shipway could not give details of what restrictions might apply, or when they might be introduced. But he said a hosepipe ban would be introduced at 'some point' if the dry weather continued.

He said: "We have not introduced restrictions in the last 15 years, but if we don't have significant rainfall, then restrictions are increasingly likely."

He said the company was working with the Environment Agency and 'closely monitoring the situation'.

Latest figures show that the Thames Water region had under a third of the expected rainfall during January making it the driest month in two-and-a-half years. Since November 2004, the region has had only 66 per cent of expected rainfall.

Environment Agency spokesman, Tim Abbott, said: "What we have at the moment is unprecedented."

Although the agency cannot force Thames Water to take action, it could prevent the company from gaining drought orders to extract water from rivers if the situation got so bad that other supplies dried up.

Cuddesdon-based arable farmer David Keene, who has taken over as chairman of the regional National Farmers' Union, said: "There are several farms in the area which use a large amount of water for irrigation, and these could be affected if the farmers have permits to extract extra water from rivers revoked.

"It could mean there not being enough water for a season's crops, and this could be very serious."

Window cleaner Bob Davies, who works in the Witney area, said: "I don't think it would mean to much for us we don't use hosepipes, just a couple of buckets, and try to make every drop count any way."