Why are the reservoirs not full after all the rain we have had recently?

Question

Do we still waste to much water?
How much is being lost due to broken and damaged water pipes?

Answer 1

It may be that they are keeping some capacity unused to help control flooding if there is more rain.

Your question about loss from old pipes is excellent! Hardly anybody talks avout this. There are some systems that experience a 50% loss of potable water due to breaks and cracks in the water system. One of the best things we could do nationally to reduce the amount of water needed in urban systems would be to upgrade the delivery systems to reduce loss due to breakage.

Answer 2

We need a steady and constant amount of rainfall to ensure reservoirs are fully replenished.

Most reservoirs are built withing the catchment area of hills that have melting snow and ice, that provide a constant and regular supply of water, over a period of months, rather than weeks, so this causes problems.

Too much rain will only flood, and cause damage, not replenish our water supplies.

As for the leakage due to old water pipes, while this is a problem, it is an issue that water supply companies are addressing, and they seem to be doing a great job in sorting out the problem, although there is still some way to go.

Answer 3

Wrong type of rain,
why we have not installed new pipe lines from the north to south to fill reservoirs and drain off extra water that would other wise not get used, is beyond belief,
its no good saying its all about finances
when we waste millions on crap that's not wanted or needed
our jails are full of unused labour to dig the trenches to hold the pipelines they should also make sure to collect the run offs from any flooded areas on the way,
this and previous governments could not run a p--s up in a brewery let alone the country.

Answer 4

Too dangerous to keep reservoirs full, they are 'full' in most cases at a safe limit some spare capacity is always required so they regulate the flow of the water at present many reservoirs will be allowing water to flow out. Water flow is important to keep the rivers fresh. Also some use the flow to make electricity (Hydro Electric power).
As for leaking pipes that is almost certainly true but unless we switch off the supply and spend millions digging up the whole pipeline system in some areas leeks will not be tackled effectively.

Answer 5

according to the met office the rain is too large and heavy plus dosnt get enough time to filter deep down into the earth just runs straight of the surface. yes we waste water as some people in the world cant even get clean drinking water easily we should try and recycle the water we use for washing floors watering plants etc.

Answer 6

Reservoirs were designed to fill up in several years given normal rainfall and historic consumption.
Rainfall has reduced over the last ten years and the consumption has increased, also losses due to evaporation and ageing pipelines have increased leakage losses so we are facing a losing battle

Answer 7

Because it takes a huge volume to fill a reservoir, even with high rains.

Reservoirs gain volume by precipitation and inflow (either through outlet stream or through groundwater). They lose by seepage out and evapotranspiration. Rainfall is measured in inches applied over a wide area, you can determine a volume. Reservoir volume is measured in acre-feet, so you can see the volume of water required to fill a reservoir.

Answer 8

Yeah! Stop washing so much unnecessarily it's become obsessive (unless you work in a coal mine).
The water companies in Britain are useless and they have no valid excuses. All it ever does here is rain, and people in flooded areas (up to their knees in sewage and ruined homes) get letters telling them about the "Hosepipe ban".

Answer 9

Reason for the lack of water I believe is the rain we have received is not Enough when you consider the heat and humid days we have had ...

Answer 10

Storm water is too dirty to add to the resevoirs. All the Scottish ones are full though so i'm sure we could sell you some clean water if required.