THE giant Severn Trent Water has told its customers they can carry on using hosepipes but water bosses are still urging people to help maintain plentiful supplies by cutting out wastage.

ST reservoir levels are still at a healthy 95 per cent, but with the Met Office forecasting low rainfall during the summer months, coupled with a high demand, water bosses say it is important to make every drop count.

Customers are still being urged to insulate their pipes to reduce the risk of them freezing and bursting during the current cold snap and they can also play their part in the kitchen, bathroom and garden.

In the last 30 years, water consumption has increased by 30 per cent per head from 100 litres to 130 litres per person per day, due to improved standards of living. With that in mind, ST has put out savings tips.

They include not leaving the tap running while brushing teeth or washing hands, shower instead of bath, use a save-a-flush in the cistern, use a bucket and sponge to clean the car rather than a hosepipe, replace worn tap washers and ensure pipes and external taps are lagged.

In the kitchen wash fruit and vegetables in a bowl and use the water on house plants, use the minimum amount of water required in kettles and saucepans and wait for full loads before using dishwashers and washing machines.

Director of customer relations with ST, Jonathan Bailey said: "While we've no plans to introduce a hosepipe ban, we're still asking customers to be water wise and conserve where they can."