RUGBY Borough Council is cutting back on watering its floral displays in response to Severn Trent Water’s call for customers to reduce demand on the water supply.
Severn Trent, the water utility that supplies Rugby, has called on customers to reduce demand after the amount of water being used peaked due to the hot weather.
Until demand reduces, the council’s parks team will stop using sprinklers or automatic hose pipes to water baskets, containers or planted areas. Instead they will be watered by hand, reducing the amount of water used.
The team will also avoid drawing any water during the peak morning and evening periods.
To prevent costly damage and to fulfil bookings, the park bowling green will continue to be watered.
The measures will be reviewed should Severn Trent issue any further guidance or impose a hose pipe ban, or should demand for water reduce.
Council leader Coun Michael Stokes said: “Having volunteered with Severn Trent over the weekend at one of their water pick-up points, it is clear that the problem of excessive demand is real and is one that we must respond to unselfishly.
“We can all take simple steps to reduce the amount of water we use, and it is important that the council leads by example. I hope that residents will also respond by cutting back on the amount of water that they use too.”
The council’s environment and public realm spokeswoman Coun Lisa Parker added: “Over the last few years we have reduced the amount of water we use by changing the designs of our displays and by taking other simple steps such as mulching our borders and adding water retention gels to our baskets and containers.
“Using less water on our bedding may set the plants back this summer, but it is important that we play our part in responding to the current water supply pressures.”
While there is still plenty of water available, Severn Trent has advised people to shower rather than bath, not to wash cars, and to deactivate garden sprinklers – to help avoid pressure dropping during peak demand in the mornings and evenings.
Visit www.stwater.co.uk for more information on current water supply pressures, tips on reducing demand, or to report a leak or supply problem.
