00:00For many, using a hosepipe is simply part of looking after a garden or washing a car.
00:05But in the Bristol Water area, those everyday uses are now restricted
00:09as the company responds to unusually dry conditions.
00:12Bristol Water says its hosepipe ban is intended to reduce demand at a time
00:17when water resources are under pressure.
00:19The restriction covers activities including watering gardens,
00:23washing cars and filling paddling pools.
00:25The company says the ban is its first in the Bristol area caused by drought since 1975.
00:33That followed a dry summer and 16 months of low rainfall.
00:37There was also a short restriction in 1990,
00:40but Bristol Water says that was introduced for a different reason,
00:43a hole in the bottom of the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, which later collapsed.
00:47The River Severn is particularly important during dry periods.
00:51The company says that when conditions are as dry as they have been this summer,
00:56more than half its supply comes from river sources,
00:59including the Severn through the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.
01:02But there are wider environmental pressures on the river.
01:06The Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales have applied a drought order
01:10to protect Severn's resources.
01:12Bristol Water says that means there's a need to balance the amount of water
01:17being used by the public with the water needed by wildlife,
01:20habitats and species that depend on the river environment.
01:24Richard Stambrook, Bristol Water's Director for Drinking Water Services,
01:28said introducing a hosepipe ban is never a decision the company takes lightly
01:33and acknowledge the inconvenience for customers.
01:36The restriction comes as drought affects much of England.
01:39Wessex Water, Thames Water and South West Water
01:42are among other suppliers to have announced hosepipe bans.
01:45Bristol Water has also pointed to warnings around El Nino,
01:48a natural climate phenomenon which can push up global temperatures
01:51and increase the risk of extreme weather.
01:54The company says the ban is about reducing non-essential use during a period
01:57when demand for water is exceptionally high.
01:59It says using less water can help ensure there's enough treated drinking water
02:03available for everyone.
02:05That doesn't mean the restriction is intended to be permanent.
02:08They say it'll remain in place until water resources have recovered sufficiently
02:12and the company's confident supplies are back to normal.
02:15Customers will be kept updated throughout the period.
02:18The restrictions will be lifted as soon as conditions allow,
02:21meaning the duration of the ban will depend on the recovery of water resources.
02:25The company also says the ban does not entitle customers to a reduction in their water bill.
02:30However, customers whose properties are metered may see a lower bill
02:34if they use less water during the restriction.
02:37For customers, that means the immediate change is about how water can be used outside the home.
02:43The wider issue is protecting the resources needed to maintain public supplies
02:47while also allowing the natural environment to recover.
02:50The company says it takes its responsibility for preserving the water environment seriously
02:55and believes its customers do too.
02:57The wider issue is protecting the water environment.
02:58The wider issue is protecting the water environment.
02:58The wider issue is protecting the water environment.
02:58The wider issue is protecting the water environment.
02:59The wider issue is protecting the water environment.
