Devon County Council on 30 October 2026 urged residents and businesses across the county to cut unnecessary water use now, backing South West Water's appeal in order to help avoid further restrictions and protect vulnerable residents1. The council said parts of Devon remain in severe drought despite recent rainfall, with some reservoirs at critically low levels, and that the hosepipe ban remains in place1.
The council said further sustained rain is needed for supplies to recover, and that if the situation deteriorates some homes could temporarily lose their piped water supply1. It said this would be particularly difficult for people who need water for medical or personal care, or who cannot easily collect and carry alternative supplies1. Additional support for vulnerable households is to be provided through the free Priority Services Register, tailored to customers' needs1. The council gave the registration website and a phone number, 0800 032 83011.
Residents were asked to take shorter showers where possible, turn off the tap while brushing their teeth, run washing machines and dishwashers with full loads and skip the pre-rinse, and check for dripping taps and leaking toilets and arrange repairs1. Businesses were asked to check their premises for leaks, reduce avoidable water use and encourage staff to save water at work and at home1. The council said people who need additional water because of a medical condition, disability or caring responsibilities should continue using what they need, and that drinking, hygiene and essential care must remain a priority1.
Council leader Councillor Julian Brazil said:
"South West Water must continue working to protect supplies and cut leakage, and as a council we will hold them to account but we all now have a part to play in reducing unnecessary demand."
In the same statement he said the county faces "a 24 hour a day battle to replenish our reservoirs for many weeks and months to come", and that households on a water meter using less water would see a lower bill1.
Why it matters for households
The appeal covers households and businesses in Devon, with the council stating that parts of the county remain in severe drought and that the hosepipe ban is still in force1. The council's stated concern is that supplies could deteriorate to the point where some homes temporarily lose piped water, which it says would fall hardest on people who depend on water for medical or personal care or who cannot easily collect and carry alternative supplies1. Its advice to those households is to keep using the water they need, with drinking, hygiene and essential care remaining the priority1. For households that may need help during a supply interruption, the council points to the free Priority Services Register and asks people to check that relatives, friends and neighbours who may need extra help know about it1. The council has not said which areas or how many homes could be affected, and no date has been given for any loss of supply1.
What happens next
The council says further sustained rain is needed for reservoir levels to recover, and that reducing demand alongside South West Water's work to repair leaks and manage supplies is intended to help avoid further restrictions and emergency drought measures1. It says it will hold the company to account on protecting supplies and cutting leakage1. No timetable for further restrictions or for any emergency measures has been reported1. Households can read more on saving water at home when supplies are low, on water in an emergency, and on signing up to priority services registers for energy and water.
Saving Water at Home
Water Company Drought Plans
Water in an Emergency
