Water chiefs record drier than average August after months of deluge (From Redhill And Reigate Life)
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Water chiefs record drier than average August after months of deluge
5:22pm Monday 3rd September 2012 in Local News
Water bosses have revealed rainfall across East Surrey returned to below-average levels in August after the wettest ever four months in the area.
The rain in the Life area in August totalled just 47mm or 1.8in, compared to the long-term monthly average expected of 61mm or 2.4in.
However, the dry spell totally belied the rainfall in the summer months before it.
Sutton and East Surrey Water said three of the past five months since April have recorded more than twice the average rainfall in the company’s supply area.
The Met Office said this summer has been the wettest in the UK for 100 years.
It said national records which began in 1910 showed that only 1912 was wettaer.
A spokesman for Sutton and East Surrey Water said summer 2012 had been the wettest ever in the company’s supply area.
The spokesman said: “Rainfall in Sutton and East Surrey Water’s supply area for the five months totalled 508mm or 20in.
“The long-term average for the same period is 277mm or 10.9in.
“April to July was the wettest four months ever recorded for that time of year in the company’s supply area, and so was May to August.”
The record rainfall followed two years of drought and has led to the underground sources from which Sutton and East Surrey Water pumps 85% of its supplies finally recovering.
It also meant the company was able to draw water from the River Eden in May, following granting of a Drought Permit, to help refill the company's main surface reservoir, Bough Beech, near Edenbridge in Kent.
That is now 72% full – ten per cent above average for the time of year.
Sutton and East Surrey Water supplies water to more than 650,000 people in East Surrey, and parts of West Sussex, West Kent and South London.
Customers are asked to call 01737 772000 if they believe they have discovered a leak. Website: www.waterplc.com
