Praying for rain (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Praying for rain

WATER bosses say it might be an unpopular move but they are praying for a wet summer.

New figures show that May was the seventh month in a row to show below-average rainfall in the Thames Water region.

Just 26 millimetres fell - less than half of what was expected

The news comes just weeks after the Advertiser reported residents could face their first hosepipe ban in 15 years this summer.

Despite floods just nine months ago, last winter was the driest for 30 years.

And the Met Office is forecasting a scorching summer.

Winter rainfall is essential to revive underground water sources that feed local rivers and boreholes.

The seven months from last November were the fourth driest in the region since 1897, when Thames Water's records began.

Thames Water's customer services manager Duncan McCombie, said: "The lack of rainfall continues to cause us concern, and means we now need to see more than one-and-a-half times the normal rainfall over the next three months to the end of August.

"Wishing for a wet summer won't make us popular, but if the trend continues then we cannot rule out having to consider restrictions later in the year.

"We have had none in our region for 15 years, so it is not a decision we would take lightly, but river flows and borehole levels are in swell below average."

The following tips can help conserve water:

Use a watering can instead of a sprinkler in the garden. A sprinkler can use as much in an hour as a family of four use in a day.

Wash the car using a bucket instead of a hose

Ensure washing machines and dishwashers have a full load before use.

Further tips can be found at www.thameswateruk.co.uk/waterwise.