Despite recent downpours, Northumbrian Water is still appealing to customers to continue to use water wisely and help protect the environment.
Although there is no need for hose pipe ban, a lot more rainfall is needed to help the reservoirs that supply Northumbrian Water customers fully recover, following one of the hottest and driest summers on record.
Between January and August 2025, there was just 327mm of rainfall in the North East, just 58 per cent of the average.
Environmental experts in the company have noticed the difference, with ponds drying up early due to the hot and dry weather, affecting amphibians and insects such as dragonflies, wildflower rich grasslands being very dry and leaves on the trees turning brown earlier than usual.
Customers can help by showing restraint with their water usage and using water wisely.
Kieran Ingram, Water Director, said: “It’s fantastic that is has rained; but even with rain, recovery doesn’t happen overnight, and we need our customers to understand the impact that eight months of below average rainfall has had on our water stocks.
“Our teams have worked throughout the summer to make sure the taps kept running and paddling pools were filled, but the autumn winter season is when water stocks are replenished and a lot of rainfall is needed to make up the shortfall.
“However, the weather is out of everyone’s control. So instead, we are appealing to our customers to continue to show restraint and help us save water, while we do all we can to ensure that water isn’t being wasted through leakage. It is essential that we work together to make a difference and help reduce the chance of restrictions being implemented in future.
“We always say the smallest changes make the biggest difference, but they really do – and the less we use now, the better prepared we’ll be for the months ahead — and the better off our environment will be.”
The water company has also been doing its bit, going out and about fixing leaks, with a 45 per cent increase on the number of reported leaks fixed in the first six months of the year.
To ease the pressure on water networks, the water company have increased the amount of people on the ground finding and fixing leaks. 6,263 repairs were made between January and June, compared with 3,429 during the same six months in 2024, which is a 45 per cent increase.
For water saving tips and advice, go to the website: www.nwl.co.uk/help-and-support/water/saving-water/water-saving-tips/