Holidaymakers urged to save water as Devon and Somerset face prolonged dry spell
Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
Visitors to Devon and Somerset are being urged to use water responsibly this summer as continued hot weather places increasing pressure on local supplies and the environment.
The Environment Agency (EA) has moved Devon into a “prolonged dry weather” status following the warmest spring on record and a series of heatwaves, with low river levels and increasingly dry conditions affecting the natural environment.
A hosepipe ban is already in place in Devon after periods of extreme heat led to “exceptionally high demand” for water.
The Environment Agency has warned that further drought measures cannot be ruled out, while the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) has called on visitors, as well as local residents, to help reduce unnecessary water use.
Joanne Laeger, the Environment Agency’s environment planning and engagement manager, told local democracy reporters and the BBC that everyone, including holidaymakers visiting the South West, needed to “be prepared” for the continued dry and warm weather.
“Water companies are responsible for managing public water supply and that’s from supplying water as well as trying to manage the demand for water,” she said.
“They will be trying to reach out to holidaymakers and visitors to try to make sure that people use water as wisely as possible when they’re visiting our lovely area.”
The appeal comes during one of the busiest periods of the year for tourism in the South West, when thousands of visitors arrive and place additional demand on water resources.
Cath Jones, the Consumer Council for Water’s head of engagement, said it was “absolutely vital” that holidaymakers avoided overusing supplies.
“This is not a one-person or just a residents issue, it is so important that people visiting the area understand,” she said.
“We want them to take shorter showers, not a bath, we do not want to see people refilling at hot tubs every weekend because there’s new people coming to a property.
“We cannot have people watering lawns just to make them look green for a tourist - that is absolutely things that we must stop.”
The warning follows weeks of unusually dry conditions across the South West, with concerns that continued warm weather could increase pressure on rivers, reservoirs and wildlife habitats.
Some residents have already been taking steps to conserve water, including reducing car washing, drinking fewer cups of tea and avoiding unnecessary toilet flushing.
The Environment Agency said water companies were continuing to monitor supplies and manage demand, but urged everyone, including visitors, to play their part in protecting water resources during the summer months.
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