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Fears over Portsmouth water supplies as usage hits record high

Fears over Portsmouth water supplies as usage hits record high

Fears over Portsmouth water supplies as usage hits record high

Some Portsmouth residents could be left without water if an unprecented demand continues, the city has been warned.

Portsmouth Water customers are being urged to ‘show some restraint’ in the wake of record-breaking usage.

The current heatwave, combined with the Covid-19 restrictions and people taking ‘staycations’, is putting a strain on the system, said Portsmouth Water.

“This demand is putting strain on the system and threatens to leave some customers without water as pipes reach capacity and cannot physically allow enough water through them fast enough for everyone’s use,” said a spokesman.

“So we are asking everyone to show some restraint and only to use water for essential purposes for the next few days, to ensure there is enough water to go around.

“We would ask people to put away their hosepipes and garden sprinklers and allow their grass to turn gold and their car to gather dust – for a couple of days, just until the heatwave has passed.

“We are continuing to produce water 24/7 and our technicians are working around the clock to ensure houses and businesses have the essential water they need for cooking, cleaning and washing. With your help we can make sure everyone gets the water they need.”

People are asked to use a watering can rather than the hose or sprinkler, as hoses and sprinklers typically use about 1000 litres of water an hour – more than 12 baths and more than three average UK families use in a day.

The warning went out yesterday (Tuesday) and in an update this morning the company said demand had decreased “slightly”.

The public was urged to “keep the message going”.

“Thank you to everyone who has reduced their usage . Demand levels went down slightly yesterday, so we’re headed in the right direction,” said the spokesman.

“Please continue to use water wisely and take a look at our website to find out how you can save water.”

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