Hosepipe ban to be lifted from tomorrow

Follows rise in reservoir levels

The Island-wide hosepipe ban will be lifted tomorrow.

Manx Utilities has announced the restriction will come to an end from 7am Wednesday morning (7 September).

It has been in place since late-July.

The move had come into force in light of depleted reservoir levels after weeks of dry weather, however the authority says stocks have recovered 'sufficiently' following recent heavy rainfall.

As of yesterday water stocks had reached 73 per cent.

However, that remains around nine per cent below average for this time of year.

MUA Chairman, Rob Callister, says: 'I appreciate hosepipe bans are not popular, however the law is there to enable Manx Utilities to put one in place to protect our precious raw water stocks when it is deemed necessary and this has been the case after what has been a very dry summer season.

'The team will continue to monitor stock levels and as ever we would encourage the public to continue to use water wisely both to protect the natural environment and be aware that reduced consumption also reduces the amount of energy we consume as an Island community.'

Meanwhile, the man in charge of the Island's water supply says the public responded magnificently to the hose pipe ban.

Head of Water, Gareth Patchett, says something is learned every time restrictions are introduced: