Drought declared, but Severn Trent says no hosepipe ban: 'we don't want to be killjoys'

Drought has officially been declared across seven areas of England, including the area around Birmingham, but Severn Trent says it does not plan to bring in a hosepipe ban.

The Environment Agency says the drought is the result of very low rainfall combined with warm temperatures. The UK was on course for its driest July on record, after the warmest June.

"We don't want to be killjoys"

Several water companies, including Thames Water, South East Water and Southern Water, have introduced temporary hosepipe bans. Severn Trent, which supplies more than eight million customers including Birmingham, says it is not in a position to do the same.

"We've not had a hosepipe ban in our area for 30 years. We don't want to have one and be killjoys and be the Grinch of summer," said Gareth Mead, river rangers manager at Severn Trent.

He said the company was keeping a close eye on trigger levels, including in one area of Staffordshire, and asked customers to use water "wisely and sparingly".

Simple ways to save

Sprinklers and hosepipes are the biggest users of water in summer, so Severn Trent is asking people to use them less. Filling the dishwasher before running it, taking shorter showers and using a watering can in the garden all help.