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s of a 2025 report, the Blagdon reservoir's water quality and biodi- ersity were found to be poor. It contained high amounts of pollut- nts, such as copper and mercury, and the cause was found to be oor waste management from local sewage and agricultural indus- ries. We no longer use the reservoir for drinking water, of course but this means that what little rain we get in the Summer goes to vaste. Bristol Water oversee the Chew Valley, Cheddar and Blagdon eservoirs in Somerset, and last August the total water storage for his area was at 50%. On the same date in 2024, storage fulfilment was at 73%. Water shortages are becoming increasingly common, and new business and housing developments make the pressure worse.
We can all remember a time in our lives when we've had to consider a hosepipe ban, but restrictions on our usagé could get more seri- pus. Director of Drinking Water Services, Richard Stanbrook, was telling people to save water by having short showers, turning off the tap and reusing water in their garden and for their plants - and it's likely he'll be saying the same things this year.
He describes: "We supply 300 million litres a day to customers, over 1.2 million customers, and that has grown in the summer by 10 per cent. We're also seeing domestic use grow as more people come to Bristol."
Last Summer was the fifth hottest on record, but this is in stark con- trast the flooding we're experiencing in the colder, wetter months. This winter, over 300 homes were flooded, and more than 100 areas in the UK had flood warnings in place. The Met Office have outlined that six of ten of the wettest winters since the beginning of records have happened in this century, from 2001 onwards (2024 was the second wettest!).
ALL NATURAL? DON'T BANK ON IT
Take a look at the banks of the reservoir.
The mud dried on these 'crack willow' trees is showing what used to be the winter-time water levels, now retreated far back from the banks in the summertime. The sharp contrast - in colour and in season should make the obvious, well .... obvious.