Reservoir water levels remain low despite hose ban

Water levels at Essex's two major reservoirs have dropped to a combined 37% of capacity, three months on since a hosepipe ban was imposed.

Essex and Suffolk Water enforced the restriction in August in response to a prolonged period of hot and dry weather.

The firm's total water supply at Hanningfield and Abberton reservoirs has plunged dramatically, compared with being at 83% in June.

"It is below where we'd expect to be at this time of year," said Katie Davies, head of water service planning.

"We are getting used to trying to manage these situations and, of course, there are lots of things that we are doing."

The Environment Agency says the East of England remains in drought, and Essex and Suffolk Water's hosepipe ban is still in place.

Hanningfield is one of eight reservoirs in England - or reservoir groups - which the Environment Agency says have "exceptionally low" water levels.

"We're asking customers to try and conserve water to keep as much water as we can in the reservoirs," Davies told BBC Essex presenter Ben Fryer.

She said this advice would remain until a "considerable amount of rain" had fallen.

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