Severn Trent says hosepipe ban still possible
Wednesday 20th July 2011, 3:30PM BST.
Severn Trent today said recent rain across the country was not enough to rule out the possibility of hosepipe bans in certain areas.
But the group said while residential consumption had risen during the spring dry spell, customers had responded to requests to be frugal with their use of water.
Commercial consumption, which is metered, had declined less than expected, it said.
Severn Trent, which supplies eight million customers across the Midlands and the heart of England, warned in June that restrictions could be imposed if rainfall did not recover to more normal levels.
Today it said consumption had declined year-on-year between April and 19 July though the decline in usage over the three and half months was at a lower rate than it originally expected.
The water utility also said it was keeping a watchful eye on the level of bad debts after it raised prices by 4.7 per cent in April, a rise in line with the formula agreed with regulator Ofwat of zero plus inflation.
The bad debt target remains at 2.2 per cent of turnover, but Severn Trent said it is “monitoring future developments closely, especially unemployment levels”.
Most Commented
- Clampdown on Shrewsbury chuggers
- Bishop's gay marriage views do nothing to support bible teachings
- Letter: Alcohol price plans annoy me
- Planners ordered to stay on Newport visit bus
- Letter: Angered by close encounter of the furred kind
- Letter: No sense in overseas job adverts
- The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff doesn't raise a smile
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
Untill severn trent sort out their constant leaks i won’t pay any attention to what they say
Report abuse
That’s it, you just leave your taps running in protest. Very helpful (and rather childish).
Report abuse
As childish as your reply, did i say anything about purposely wasting water or did you just imagine that part?
Report abuse
They’re asking people to be frugal with water and you’re saying you’re not going to pay any attention to what they say. So I don’t think I imagined it, no.
Report abuse