Why some areas do not need a hosepipe ban

While millions of people in England are being asked to limit their water usage, some areas look unlikely to get a hosepipe ban.

A Thames Water ban will come into force in parts of Wiltshire on 22 July - but how is it that most neighbouring residents will be unaffected?

Wessex Water, which serves large areas of Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Bath, as well as parts of Dorset and Gloucestershire, has not introduced a hosepipe ban since 1976.

It said there were a number of factors at play, including the fact 75% of its water source came from groundwater, which it said was more resilient against dry weather.

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: "The wet winter we experienced means groundwater and reservoir levels in our region, although below average, are currently no cause for concern."

The company said a 30% reduction in leakage in the past 20 years had also contributed, with the company detecting and fixing 1,200 leaks every month.

It also said its investment of £230m in building a water supply grid, which allowed water to be transferred to areas where it was needed most, had also helped.

But Wessex Water said it still needed customers to do their bit to protect its supply.

"Regardless of the weather, we always advise customers to use water responsibly as it keeps more in the environment and can save money for households on a meter," it said.

"Saving water can also reduce energy bills," the company added.

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