Save water this spring
A wet winter has refilled the reservoirs after last year’s hot, dry summer. But that doesn’t make it any less important to be careful with this vital resource.
All year round, water-saving habits make a difference by keeping water stores full and protecting the environment. It’s not just about using less during dry periods – in any season fixing leaks and value every drop of water.
Water use is lowest in the winter and highest in the summer. As the days get longer taking simple steps to use less water can make a big impact.
Balancing water supplies throughout the year
Summer 2025 was dryer than average, with 25% less rain than usual for the region and season. It was also hot, which meant we used more water as we watered gardens, took extra showers and filled paddling pools.
The dry weather and higher demand reduced combined storage in key reservoirs to around 50% in late summer 2025.
Reservoirs are now back to normal levels after the wettest Cornish winter since records began in 1836 (Devon’s winter was in the top 5 wettest on record).
However, we still need to be careful with water to make sure we have enough to take us through future dry spells.
Our action on water resilience
Water quality and resilience is one of our key strategic priorities. We’re tackling leaks on the network and investing so we can store more water.
Our water resources management plan (WRMP) includes building the Cheddar 2 reservoir, which will provide the South West with additional water resource.
Water-saving tips
Summers are getting hotter
Climate change is making our weather less predicable and more extreme.
The last three years were in the top five on record for the UK. Winters are also getting wetter; six of the ten wettest October-March periods in the last 250 years have happened in the last 25.
Climate change
Climate change means hot, dry summers are becoming more common. In the last ten years, we’ve seen three times more days above 30°C than the 1961-1990 average.
Population growth is also adding to pressure on our water resources.
Every drop counts
To address this issue, we’re spending more to improve water storage, address leaks and strengthen resilience.
You can help by being careful with water, all year round – even when it’s pouring down outside.
FREE water-saving devices
Answer a few questions about how you use water in your home and we’ll send you free water-saving devices in the post.
