Welsh Water is asking customers to help reduce water use after experiencing a prolonged period of high demand.
The company has reported that water use is 17% higher than usual, with demand remaining elevated for much longer each day and into the night. Demand has hit 900 megalitres a day since June 21, more than 950 megalitres a day since Monday, July 6, and more than 1,000 megalitres a day since Thursday, July 9.
Usual demand for the company is around 850 megalitres per day, so the company is working to an increase of around 150-200 megalitres – the equivalent of 264-352 million pints. To help keep supplies flowing, hundreds of front-line colleagues are working around the clock, increasing water production, moving water around the network and fixing leaks as quickly as possible.
The company says it is responding to unprecedented levels of demand but is getting closer to the point where supplying water quickly enough to meet demand becomes increasingly challenging.
Welsh Water Chief Customer Officer, Kit Wilson said: “The extreme heat and prolonged dry weather in this third heatwave of the year means people are using much more water and for much longer throughout the day. Our teams are working around the clock, treating more water, moving supplies with tankers and fixing leaks. But we need customers’ help too. Small changes made by lots of people would make a big difference. By using water wisely, customers can help us keep water flowing and avoid the need for further measures if the hot weather continues.”
Customers are being encouraged to make simple changes, including using a watering can instead of a sprinkler, letting lawns recover naturally, reusing water from paddling pools on your garden, use a jug to chill water in the fridge instead of running the tap until cool, and running washing machines and dishwashers with full loads. These small actions can save millions of litres of water and help protect supplies for communities and the environment.
Key statistics
- 1 billion litres of drinking water supplied on our busiest day
- 20% increase in customer demand compared to average July
- 30 water tankers supporting supplies across the network
- 24/7 operations throughout the heatwave
- Hundreds of frontline colleagues working around the clock
- Thousands of extra water quality tests completed
- 200 burst mains repaired over last 2 weeks
- 995 leakage repairs completed over last 2 weeks
- 200 burst mains repaired over last 2 weeks
- Thousands of extra water quality tests completed
- Hundreds of frontline colleagues working around the clock
- 24/7 operations throughout the heatwave
- 30 water tankers supporting supplies across the network
- 20% increase in customer demand compared to average July
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