Teignbridge residents urged to cut back water use by local council
The council explained that despite recent rainfall, some areas are still in drought
Last updated 19 hours ago
People in Teignbridge are being urged to save water to help protect vulnerable people and reduce the risk of further disruption.
Teignbridge District Council said that, despite recent rainfall, parts of Devon remain in severe drought.
It said water supplies are under significant pressure and there is a risk of further restrictions. The council is asking everyone to make small changes to how they use water.
It said this would help protect supplies for those who could be hardest hit by disruption, including people who need water for medical care.
The council suggested a number of different ways to cut back on water waste:
- take shorter showers, as even cutting a minute or two can save water
- turn off the tap rather than leaving water running while brushing teeth, shaving or washing dishes
- only run full loads in the washing machine or dishwasher
- fix dripping taps and leaking toilets, as small leaks can waste a surprising amount of water over time
- keep a jug of water in the fridge to avoid running the tap while waiting for cold drinking water
- reuse water where safe, such as water left over from washing vegetables, which can be used on plants
- avoid washing the car or watering the lawn, prioritise essential water use and follow any restrictions in place
- report any leaking water main or pipe in the street to South West Water
In a statement, Councillor Richard Keeling, who leads Teignbridge District Council, hit out at South West Water as it continues to suffer issues in providing water to residents.
"Think about your neighbours," he said. "People who rely on water for medical treatment, older residents who cannot easily collect alternative supplies, and families who could face significant disruption.
"Taking a shorter shower or turning off a tap might seem like a small thing, but together those actions can help protect the water we all depend on.
"But let's be absolutely clear. Residents should not have to make up for South West Water's failure to get a grip on its leaking pipes.
"People are rightly angry about being told to save water while the company continues to lose staggering amounts through leaks. And frankly, they have every right to be."
The council's comments follow figures showing South West Water lost an average of 113.54 million litres of water every day in 2025/26 - an increase of nearly six million litres a day on the previous year.
Regulators have warned that leakage is 18.5% above the company's forecast. They have also warned that its performance is putting customers at greater risk during the drought.
"South West Water is asking households to do more while its own performance on leaks is getting worse. That's simply not good enough," Cllr Keeling added.
"We expect urgent action, a clear plan to reduce leaks, and evidence that the company is delivering improvements.
"But refusing to save water won't punish South West Water. It could hurt our neighbours.
"This isn't about letting the water company off the hook. It's about looking after each other while holding it to account.
"Residents have a part to play, and so does South West Water. It's time the company matched the efforts it's asking of everyone else."
In response, Richard Stanbrook, South West Water’s Drought Programme Director, said:
“We’re continuing to see the benefits of wetter weather after months of exceptionally dry conditions.
"There’s still a long way to go to rebuild our storage heading into next year and the Environment Agency has said England needs at least 120% of its average rainfall over the next six months to be out of drought by spring.
“We’re continuing to repair leaks and move water around our network to make the most of the supplies we have while rivers and reservoirs recover.
“Thank you to everyone who is already saving water. Even when it’s raining, the water households and businesses save today helps ease pressure on supplies now and leaves more water in reserve for next year. Please keep using only what you need.”