Thames Water asks customers to keep saving water this autumn as drought pressures continue

As days shorten, clocks go back and colder weather approaches, Thames Water is urging customers to keep using water wisely this autumn.

The company is sharing simple steps to help households use less water and energy during the colder months, supporting customers looking to manage their utility bills.

Water resources remain far below what is normally expected at this time of year, in the Thames Water region, after months of exceptionally dry weather. Recent showers have brought a more autumnal feel, but they have not reversed the area's wider drought issue following this year’s record-breaking dry summer. 

In the Thames catchment, September rainfall was just 50% of the long-term average at 29.7mm, while October had received only 1% of average rainfall by 6 October. The ground is the driest it has been since 2001, with groundwater levels low, river flows below average, Farmoor Reservoir at 68% storage on 6 October, and total London reservoir storage at 54%.   

A Temporary Use Ban remains in place for all Thames Water customers while the company continues to monitor river levels, groundwater, reservoir storage and demand. Cooler weather and darker evenings do not mean the drought is over, and Thames Water will only be able to lift restrictions when conditions allow, and there has been substantial rainfall to replenish supplies. 

With homes using more hot water as temperatures fall, Thames Water’s free water saving calculator can help households work out how much water and energy they are using and provide tailored advice on how to save more. Households could save hundreds of pounds annually by adopting a few easy habits and installing water-efficient devices. 

Andrew Tucker, Water Demand Reduction Manager at Thames Water: “As autumn sets in and leaves start to fall, it can be easy to think the need to save water has passed, but our water resources remain under pressure after an exceptionally dry period. We’re grateful to customers for the steps they have already taken to reduce demand, and the hosepipe ban remains in place while conditions recover.  

"We need everyone to keep saving water where they can, at home, at work and in the garden. Small changes, such as taking shorter showers, turning off taps and only running full loads in washing machines and dishwashers, can make a meaningful difference across millions of homes and businesses. They can also help households reduce the amount of hot water they use, which can support lower energy bills during the colder months.” 

Why Save Water in Autumn and Winter? 

Autumn usually brings cooler weather, falling leaves and the first signs of winter, but it is also a crucial period for water resources to recover.  Autumn and winter are the main seasons when rivers, groundwater and reservoirs would normally recover. The level of sustained rainfall over the coming months will affect water availability next spring and summer. 

As households start considering more hot water for showers and washing , taking simple steps to instead reduce water use can help customers cut their energy bills. Saving water now also helps protect essential supplies and the environment while dry conditions continue. 

While autumn rain and morning dew can make gardens and green spaces look refreshed, sustained rainfall over time is needed to support river flows, groundwater recovery and reservoir refill. Current ground and soil conditions are the driest recorded since 2001. When the ground is extremely dry, rainfall is first absorbed by the soil before it helps water resources recover.  

Thames Water is also playing its part to save water by continuing its efforts to reduce leakage across its network, fixing more than 1000 leaks every week, and is installing smart meters across the Thames Valley.