THE hosepipe ban which was imposed after the driest seven months on record has been lifted.

United Utilities announced that the hosepipe ban which was imposed across the North West and throughout rural Cheshire has been lifted today (Thursday, August 19) after recent rainfall has allowed water resources to recover sufficiently.

The ban was imposed on July 9 after the driest December to June spell to hit the region in more than 70 years. Significant rainfall from mid July to mid August has allowed the company to announce an end to the ban – despite Pennine reservoir levels remaining below average for the time of year. Over the two weeks in July the North West saw 180% of the average rainfall, and in the first two weeks of August saw 75%of the average rainfall for the region.

Richard Blackwell, United Utilities' supply demand manager, said: “Reservoir levels have risen in recent weeks in Cumbria and North Wales and have stabilised in the Pennines with the rainfall over the last month. We now have sufficient reservoir storage overall to be able to lift the ban. This will come as welcome news to our millions of customers, who have been extremely patient and conscientious in their water usage.

“Our key reservoirs in Cumbria and North Wales are now at the kind of levels we would expect for the time of year. Pennine reservoir levels remain below normal, with some still at very low levels, but we are now able to compensate for this shortfall by moving more water from Cumbria and North Wales using our integrated pipe network. Overall, the situation is much improved and the ban is no longer required to safeguard essential supplies.

"Wed like to thank customers for bearing with us since July 9. Although the ban is over, some reservoirs are still very low, so it's important people continue to do what they can to save water around the home and garden.”