Drying out

THE tumbling water level at Piethorne Reservoir, Newhey.

Hose ban looms unless heavy rain soon

OLDHAMERS could face a hosepipe ban as water authority chiefs apply for a drought permit following the driest start to a year since 1929.

The Environment Agency will tomorrow receive a request from United Utilities to increase the amount of water it pipes out of lakes and rivers across the North-West.

The extra water will be used to support demand in other areas. They are also considering imposing a hosepipe ban if there is insufficient rain over the next few weeks. Rainfall in May was only 38 per cent of the region’s long-term average, and June looks set to follow the dry trend.

The Environment Agency will consider if the water needs of people, businesses and the environment are balanced when making its decision.

United Utilities will also have to show it has taken all reasonable steps to manage water supply and consumer demand.

Tomorrow’s application is for permission to increase the amount of water taken from Ennerdale reservoir in the Lake District to supply the Whitehaven area of West Cumbria.

The Environment Agency and United Utilities are also in talks on the possibility of further applications to allow more water to be taken from both Windermere and Longdendale Valley reservoirs. One of the agency’s main concerns is the effect it will have on wildlife and the environment, and it has stepped up monitoring of rivers.

The North-West is suffering low water levels, but there is little threat to public water supplies across the rest of England.