Welsh Water will bring in a hosepipe ban for 33,000 properties in west Wales from 10:00 BST on Sunday, July 19. The restriction starts after weeks of exceptionally high demand for drinking water.
Kit Wilson, the company’s chief customer officer, said the temporary use ban had “not been an easy decision” and was needed to “help protect essential water supplies.” Welsh Water said the restrictions will stay in place for “as long as they are necessary.”
West Wales properties
The ban covers mid and south Ceredigion and parts of north Pembrokeshire and north Carmarthenshire. The affected areas include Llanon, Llangwyryfon and Cwm Ystwyth in Ceredigion, Crymych, Llanfyrnach and Nevern in north Pembrokeshire, and Farmers, Pencader and Hermon in north Carmarthenshire.
Welsh Water said about one billion litres of drinking water were put into supply every day during the past week. It said that was about 20% more than expected at this time of year.
Kit Wilson and demand
Wilson said: “We fully appreciate that these temporary restrictions will disappoint some customers, particularly during a period of warm weather. However, after several weeks of unprecedented demand, they have become necessary to help protect essential water supplies.” He also said: “By reducing non-essential water use, everyone can help protect supplies and reduce the risk of further disruption.”
Welsh Water said growing numbers of holiday-makers and visitors at the start of the summer holiday season are expected to add further pressure. Under the Water Industry Act, water companies can impose fines of up to £1,000 for breaking a hosepipe ban.
Gavin Young at Pen-y-Waun Farm
Gavin Young, who owns Pen-y-Waun Farm near Llanedi, said the dry weather was becoming a growing concern. “It’s not just the fact that they haven’t got the water. They haven’t got the grass,” he said.
Young also said: “The grass gets stressed, the grass won’t grow, so you’re going to lose profitability through meat gain and also milk production.” He added: “UK livestock will start to get stressed at 22 degrees. So from now on in, you’re looking at stress levels being quite high.”
The ban will continue only while demand stays above sustainable levels, and Welsh Water has set no end date. For affected households and farmers, the immediate task is to cut non-essential water use before the restriction begins at 10:00 BST on July 19.
