Three water works in London are being recommissioned by Thames Water to help keep taps flowing across the capital following the dry spring and early summer period.

Thames Water sites in Brixton, Streatham and Battersea, which have been surplus to requirements in recent years, are all being switched back on to make sure there continues to be enough water to meet demand.

Several other redundant water works are also being readied so they can be brought into use if needed as Thames Water continues to invest additional funds to improve performance.

Storage levels in some of the company’s reservoirs have decreased following below average rainfall last winter and over the spring and early summer, plus increased demand for water during periods of hot weather in June and July put further pressure on resources.

 The water company is now planning ahead in case the region experiences another dry winter - when there’s below average rainfall - to help boost supply next year and reduce the risk of water shortages.

Paul Wetton, water production manager at Thames Water, said:

“The dry weather we’ve had earlier this year has presented us with a big challenge as the lack of rain means levels in some of the rivers we source water from are lower than normal, and the hot weather means people use more water to drink, water their gardens and fill up paddling and swimming pools.

“Sadly it’s not a case of reservoir levels returning to normal as soon as the weather cools down and we have a few days of rain, and it can take some considerable time for us to build up our reserves again, which is why having these extra treatment sites and boreholes back up and running is so important.

“There’s also a drive to fix more leaks on our pipes to help conserve water too.”

During this year’s hot weather, Thames Water teams worked around the clock to make sure demand for water was met and no restrictions, such as hosepipe bans, were enforced.

Several other redundant water works are also being readied so they can be brought into use if needed as Thames Water continues to invest additional funds to improve performance.