A HOSEPIPE ban which has been in place in parts of Wales since August has been lifted today - amid warnings that caution will be needed to help reservoir levels recover.

Welsh Water said it’s still important to avoid wasting water so that its 91 reservoirs have the best chance of refilling fully over the winter months.

The hosepipe ban covering areas served by Llys-y-Fran reservoir near Haverfordwest since 19 August has been lifted today with immediate effect.

But while rain is now falling and helping some reservoirs like Llys-y-Frân, the rain isn’t heavy enough or lasting long enough to have a significant effect on levels at all reservoirs. Reservoirs in the south east of Wales where levels at some reservoirs are continuing to drop. 

Powys water levels

In Powys, Clywedog's water level is currently at 48.6 per cent - up from a low of 40.6 per cent in late September. But that's still down on the 55.6 per cent which was seen even during the heatwave in August, figures from Hafren Dyfrdwy's website show.

The Elan Valley's storage is still only at 37.2 per cent, compared to 32 per cent a month ago.

United Utilities, meanwhile, said the Dee and Vyrnwy reservoirs were at 49.5 per cent, 2.1 per cent up on a week ago, but compared with 69.7 per cent last year.

What Welsh Water says

Ian Christie, managing director of Water Services, said: “We are pleased that we are able to lift the hosepipe ban for our customers served by Llys-y-Frân reservoir and we really do thank them for their full co-operation which really did help ensure we kept the water flowing to our customers there throughout the summer and protect key rivers in Pembrokeshire. 

"We are also writing to our customers in the area confirming the ban has been lifted. 

“While this is good news, we are not out of the woods yet. Our reservoirs are dependent on rain to refill over the autumn and winter. 

OTHER NEWS:

"Over the past six months, Wales has had one of the longest and driest periods on record and in September only saw 50% of the long term average rainfall and our reservoir levels in some areas – particularly south east Wales - are far lower than they would normally be at this time of year.

"The forecast for a drier than average autumn, with only limited rain expected in the immediate future is a concern.

“While we always ask customers not to waste water, we’re encouraging all customers to only use what they need over the autumn and winter to help ensure our reservoirs refill as quickly as possible and that there is sufficient water for all our customers next summer.

“We will also play our part by continuing to work as hard as possible on finding and fixing leaks as quick as we can and investing in the network to make it as efficient as possible”.