Could Britain still see a hosepipe ban this summer? Water company bosses say we ... trends now
Britain could be handed a reprieve from the summer hosepipe ban after enduring the wettest 18 months since records began as reservoirs are full.
The country's largest reservoirs are almost bursting with huge volumes of water following a year and a half of severe precipitation.
England saw a record amount of rainfall in the 18 months leading up to March this year.
A whopping 1,695.9mm of rain fell from October 2022 to March 2024, according to figures from the Met Office.
It is the highest amount of rain for any 18-month period in England since records started in 1836 and water companies have said the levels are in a 'healthy' position with no plans for hose pipe bans.
The was 1,695.9mm of rain from October 2022 to March 2024 in England. Picture shows Bartley Reservoir in South Birmingham
Trimpley Reservoir in Bewdley, Worcestershire has high levels of reserves after the heavy downpours
The UK's regional government's order hosepipe bans in the summer months to restrict usage
The rainfall in the 18 months leading up to March were the highest amount ever recorded. Picture shows Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire
Images show high levels at Bartley Reservoir in South Birmingham, Trimpley Reservoir in Worcestershire, and Derwent Water in the Peak District.
Also looking full are Carsington Water, Derbyshire, Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire and Blagdon Lake in Bristol.
South West Water said they are 'confident' there will be 'no need for hosepipe bans in either Devon or Cornwall this year' - even if they see prolonged periods of hot and dry weather.
David Harris, South West Water's Drought and Resilience Director, said: 'While it may seem obvious that recent heavy rainfall has led to increased reservoir levels across the region, over one-third of the additional storage has come from our own supply interventions and customers reducing their own usage.
'As a direct result of our investments, interventions, the weather and our customers reducing their use of water, we are confident that we are in a strong position to navigate whatever weather we face this year without the need for water restrictions.
'This does not mean we will stop our efforts there, we will continue to invest and deliver clean water supplies across our region and prepare as much as we can for climate change and unpredictable weather patterns.'
A Wessex Water spokesperson also said there is currently 'no prospect of any restrictions' - adding that there has not been 'a hosepipe ban in the Wessex Water supply region since 1976.'
Water companies have said they do not envisage a hosepipe ban this summer. Picture shows Derwent Water in the Peak District
Water levels are high at Derwent Water (pictured) after the record-breaking downpours
