Driest spring for more than 100 years causes low water levels for Hampshire residents
Southern Water says high temperatures have contributed to low water levels in Hampshire’s River Test and River Itchen.
Hampshire residents are being advised to reduce their water usage as Southern Water warns levels are low in the River Test and River Itchen.
Southern Water extracts water from the rivers but have said 2025 has been “The driest spring for more than 100 years, and the forecast for a hot summer ahead means our water resources are coming under increasing pressure”.
The River Test and Itchen are also chalk streams with “delicate ecosystems” so Southern Water are restricted on how much water they can take from them.
Tania Flasck, Director of Water operations says “The South East of Britain has some of the most important chalk stream habitats in the world…and anything we can do to be less reliant and extract less from these delicate environments that provide habitats for a lot of wildlife".
Southern Water has written to Hampshire customers asking for help by making small changes to their water usage.
Tania says: “We never think about water until we haven’t got it, but actually there is really simple stuff like turning the tap off when cleaning your teeth can save up to 10 litres per second."
“Sometimes we let the shower run while we wait for the water to heat up, You could collect that water and use it to water your plants.”
Southern Water has told customers it will provide updates on water resources as we move through the summer.