Severn Trent plea on sprinklers and paddling pools

People across the West Midlands have been advised by Severn Trent to be "much more careful" with water all year round to prevent future hosepipe bans.

Doug Clarke, the firm's water resources strategy lead, issued the plea as reservoirs in the region are currently about 65% full and rivers are "incredibly low".

The West Midlands is one of seven areas of England now officially in drought but a hosepipe ban, which is affecting multiple regions, has not yet been imposed.

Despite this, Clarke warned "lawns do not need sprinklers" and paddling pools "are meant for a small amount of water – we have all got to take some personal responsibility".

Clarke told BBC CWR a hosepipe ban had not been imposed in the region but "that doesn't mean that we shouldn't be careful with water".

He said it was "really important" households thought about where they used water, including in gardens.

Clarke asked people to consider "looking at more drought-tolerant plants because this is the sort of pattern of weather that we are going to see for the years to come".

"We should all be much more careful with water all year round not just when we are in a drought, we all need to think where can we be more frugal," he added.

On paddling pools, Clarke said the water company "does not want to be a killjoy" but it advises households to use smaller ones and not "fill those great big ones that are almost like a mini swimming pool".

"We've all got to take some personal responsibility here and think about where we should be using water and where we should be prioritising."

To ensure there is extra water supply in the future, the firm is increasing the size of Draycote Reservoir, near Rugby, and has a new treatment works that takes water from the River Trent.

Clarke said: "We have got longer term plans for pipelines connecting some of our reservoirs and we are keen to work more with government on how we can accelerate some of the plans for further development."

The Prime Minister Andy Burnham is holding an emergency Cobra committee later on Wednesday in response to the prolonged spell of exceptionally hot and dry weather.

He has said he will consider imposing a ban on disposable barbecues amid the risk of further wildfires as extreme heat continues to grip parts of the country.

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