Reservoir half full after hot start to the summer
There is currently less water reserved than at the same time last year
Burrator Reservoir 2018 (Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
A Devon reservoir has been left almost half empty after a hot, dry start to July - with more hot weather said to be on the way.
Burrator Reservoir on Dartmoor is currently 57 per cent full, while across the region South West Water's reserves are at 75.9 per cent.
South West Water currently has more water 'in hand' than it did in 1995 - the baseline dry year, but less than it did at this time last year.
Last year there were water restrictions in some parts of the country. The Weather Channel has forecast four heat waves over the next three months as Devon and Cornwall enter what could be their busiest ever season for tourists.
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By this time last year Burrator was already down to around 40 per cent capacity.
Roadford Reservoir, the region's largest, is currently almost 67 per cent full - although that is below the 2018 and 1995 levels.
Colliford is also below those two years while Wimbleball is well above at more than 92 per cent capacity.
At the end of the summer in 1995 Burrator was just 20 per cent full. South West Water says water demand has dropped in the last 20 years, and it has also greatly reduced water leaking and waste.
South Wet Water is reminding people to use caution around reservoirs.
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The warning comes after the tragic death of a man who went into a reservoir in Staffordshire to help a girl struggling in deep water.
A spokesperson for South West Water said: "We work closely with South West Lakes Trust to make our reservoirs accessible and pleasant for people to visit. However, we would remind visitors that these are operational sites with hidden dangers.
"Every summer, we remind people not to swim in our reservoirs because there are no lifeguarding facilities, they are very deep – often with steep sides – and can be extremely cold.
"Dams are tall, steep structures and in some cases access to the bottom in an emergency would be challenging.
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"Each year we receive reports of abseiling and even tombstoning at our reservoirs. These activities are also extremely dangerous and we would urge anyone who sees this sort of activity taking place to contact our 24-hour helpline on 0344 346 2020."