PEOPLE in Hampshire have been urged to reduce water use as flows in the River Test continue to fall.

Southern Water has today asked customers to limit their water whenever possible as levels in the River Test continue to fall.

The River Test is a vital source of fresh water for Hampshire as well as for the habitat that surrounds it.

When flows drop to a certain point, the utility company needs to apply for a drought permit to use water from the river.

At this point, the company forecasts that it may need to apply for a permit if levels continue to fall.

While the company is in the process of applying for the permit, it is urging customers to reduce water use whenever possible.

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Dr Nick Price, water asset Strategy and planning manager at Southern Water, said: “With river flows dropping following a dry winter and spring, the risk is increasing that we will need to use a drought permit in order to continue supplying water.

“The less we take out of the River Test for water supply, the more we leave in it for wildlife and to support its precious habitats. We continue to ask customers to use water wisely.”

The company has been working to ensure leakage levels are as low as possible, fitting 7000 acoustic loggers which detect and pinpoint leaks.

The company aims to reduce leakage by 15 per cent by 2025 and 40 per cent by 2040.

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