The recent wildfires seen across the region serve as a stark reminder of the growing impact prolonged hot, dry weather is having on our environment. To help support the emergency services tackling major wildfires across the South West, maintain supplies for customers, and protect the environment, South West Water is asking customers to be more water efficient by making small water-saving changes at home.
The recent fire at Mincinglake Valley Park in Exeter has now been contained but an area equivalent to the size of around 30 football pitches was destroyed by the blaze.
Even though most wildfires are caused by human activity, the prolonged dry weather can impact the environment by making it more susceptible to catching alight.
Recent fires across the region have increased demand significantly, both through firefighting activity and customer demand during the heatwaves.
The fire at Mincinglake Valley Park, and others across the region, come amid drought conditions across large parts of England following on from provisionally the second warmest July on record for the UK.
Devon and Somerset fire and rescue services said: “To ensure water is available where it's needed most, we are taking operational measures to protect our emergency response. This includes reducing non-essential water use across the Service, reviewing alternative water supplies used for firefighting, and carefully managing the use of open water sources to minimise environmental impacts.
At the same time, we're ensuring our operational resources are ready to respond. This includes checking that water bowsers, 4x4 vehicles, ATVs, drones, leaf blowers, and other specialist wildfire equipment are fully operational and available should they be needed.”
The sustained heatwave and recent wildfires have put pressure on parts of the local drinking water network as the demand in parts of Devon and Cornwall during the July heatwaves was around 25% a day higher than what would be expected at this time of year.
South West Water continues to monitor conditions closely and is encouraging customers to help by using water wisely during the ongoing spell of dry weather to help reduce pressure on the network.
To help maintain supplies South West Water is asking customers, businesses and visitors to the area to use water wisely until temperatures start to fall.
Sam Bottomley, Director of Drinking Water Services in Devon, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly, said "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the recent fires and we would like to thank the firefighters and emergency responders working tirelessly in extremely difficult conditions.
Incidents like this highlight the increasing pressures that prolonged periods of hot, dry weather can place on our natural environment.
Building resilience to these new challenges requires action from all of us, from water companies and environmental organisations through to individual households.
We are working hard to protect our water supplies across the network and we are asking customers to come together and reduce their water usage where possible until temperatures begin to drop."
Customers can help protect water resources by making small changes at home, including:
- Taking shorter showers
- Turning off the tap while brushing their teeth
- Only using washing machines and dishwashers with full loads
- Fixing dripping taps and leaking toilets
- Collecting rainwater in a water butt to use for gardening
- Watering plants in the early morning or evening to reduce evaporation
For more information on how to save water, customers can visit Save water | South West Water