Thames Water has reported the highest ever demand for water recorded in the Thames Valley during the driest ever May.

Demand for water across parts of the Thames Valley has soared by a record 158 million litres per day this week.

A combination of hot weather and people observing lockdown means water use across Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Surrey, and Buckinghamshire has reached unprecedented levels as hoses are untangled to fill paddling pools and water plants.

On Bank Holiday Monday alone the company pumped around a third more than normal of water into its network, bringing the total volume supplied in just one day to 758 million litres.

Thames Water said that following one of the wettest winters on record it currently has a good amount of water stored in its reservoirs. However, at peak times on hot days, customers in some areas are using water faster than can be safely treated and pumped through the underground network of pipes to homes. The current record demand for water will also inevitably reduce reservoir levels quicker than normal, as is already being seen in other parts of the country.

Andrew Tucker, water efficiency manager at Thames Water, said:

“Increased temperatures mean increased demand for our water, which stresses our network’s ability to produce it fast enough and accelerates the draw on rivers and underground aquifers.”

“With millions of homes using more water every day, being water efficient in the garden and inside the home will really help us ensure there’s enough to go around.”

“Using less water at home and reducing leakage means we can leave more for nature in our rivers and reservoirs, and give essential underground sources a chance to recover, reducing the risk of shortages in the future.”