it s because reservoir levels are still too low. this year, england experienced the driest february in 30 years, this year, england experienced but that was followed by the wettest march in four decades. despite the situation in parts of devon, reservoirs across england appear to be in a healthy position. the environment agency says that, at the beginning of april, total reservoir capacity across the country was at 94%. this compares with 49% at the end of september 2022, when reservoirs were at their lowest following the drought through the summer. in england, stocks at the end of march increased at all but two reservoirs. for example, reservoirs that supply west london are 97% full. and they re 99.2% full for west cumbria both above average.
why should we, in a small village, have the water cut off when either side of us are on? you know, it seemed to be picking on the little people. i think this could have been foreseen a long time ago | something could have been done a long time ago the hope is that these latest restrictions will avoid a repeat of what happened in the 705. south west water say they ll review reservoir levels over the coming months. and if we don t have another dry, hot summer, the ban could be lifted later in the year. now, the main challenge for south west water is around public perception because if you walk around some of the other reservoirs in devon and cornwall, they appear to be brimming with water but they are much smaller. they are a fraction of the size of the big strategic reservoirs here in devon and in cornwall. so the message is that the hosepipe ban isn t the main
if you run that for one hour, that can put through as much water as a typical four person family would use over two days. customers have been telling me that they pay the highest water bills in the country, and they feel that you ve failed to invest in fixing leaks, in building reservoirs, and failed to plan. since 1989, we ve had a capital investment programme which is double the amount that we ve paid out to our shareholders. we re fixing three times the number of leaks now that we were doing in 2020. last year, during the heat wave, the environment agency declared most of england officially in drought. now only east anglia, devon and cornwall remain in drought status. south west water say they ll review reservoir levels over the coming months. and if we don t have another dry, hot summer, the ban could be lifted later in the year. jenny kumah, bbc news, roadford lake. the viral video sensation carpool karaoke has come to an end, with its host, james corden,