Summer holidaymakers urged to reduce water usage
Weather Watchers/WendyFTourists are being asked to reduce their water usage during their summer holidays as hot weather continues to impact the South West.
Last week, the Environment Agency (EA) moved Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly into a "prolonged dry weather" status after the warmest spring on record and a series of heatwaves - noting low running rivers and dry conditions had put pressure on the environment.
A hosepipe ban is already in place in Devon because of heatwaves bringing "exceptionally high demand" to water supplies.
EA bosses said drought measures could not be ruled out while the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) said tourism-related usage needed to be reduced to prevent restrictions.
To save water, listeners told BBC Radio Cornwall they were not washing their cars, drinking fewer cups of tea and not flushing the toilet as much.
'Absolutely vital'
Joanne Laeger, EA's environment planning and engagement manager, said people needed to "be prepared" for the continued dry and warm weather, including holidaymakers.
"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."
Cath Jones, CCW's head of engagement, said it was "absolutely vital" holidaymakers did not overuse water supplies.
She said: "This is not a one-person or just a residents issue, it is so important that people visiting the area understand.
"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."