WATER levels in the area are holding up, despite the unusually dry spring weather, a supplier has said.

But Veolia Water, which supplies most homes in Borehamwood, has urged customers to continue to be frugal with their usage in a bid to stop the need for a hosepipe ban.

Mike Pocock, head of strategic planning, said: “The majority of supplies in our region are drawn from groundwater, and although the levels are a little lower than we would expect for this time of year, they’re within normal range, so we’re comfortable with the fact that we won’t be placing any water-use restrictions on customers.

“However it makes sense, particularly during the summer when we’re all more aware of how much water we use, to remind everyone of the steps that can be taken to save water, not only to ensure we have enough water in the future but so we can help protect the environment as well.”

He said there had been an 11 per cent surge in use over the first May bank holiday, which he described as “unusual for the time of year”.

Mr Pocock added: ““We live in one of the driest areas in the country, with less rainfall per person than parts of the Middle East, but we also use more water per person than any other part of the UK, up to 4,000 litres per family every week.

“With our population growing and more demand being placed on our existing supplies, we all need to play our part if we are going to avoid water shortages in the future.”