IT MAY have been wet outside lately but for people in one area of Comet country officially there is still a drought! Three Valleys Water, who are responsible for the water in our Hertfordshire area, say despite the wet autumn the hosepipe ban stays and al

IT MAY have been wet outside lately but for people in one area of Comet country officially there is still a drought!

Three Valleys Water, who are responsible for the water in our Hertfordshire area, say despite the wet autumn the hosepipe ban stays and all drought restrictions put in place last year remain.

The company announced the ban in March last year following almost two years of below average rainfall.

Since then, of course, we have experienced a scorching summer when rainfall was at its lowest since records began over 200 years ago.

But the latest wet weather has brought a little comfort for Three Valley.

They continually look to the skies hoping for more rain even though they have promised to review the situation this week so they can assess the impact of recent rainfall and the prospect of the hosepipe ban eventually being lifted.

A spokesman for Three Valleys Water said: "Many rivers and reservoirs are now at their highest levels since this time last year thanks to the wet weather this autumn and customers using water sensibly.

"Good rainfall over the last couple of months and the continued support of customers is helping the region recover from a serious drought caused by two dry winters.

"Despite the recent rainfall, we must remember that there has been two years of below average rainfall and the company is keeping the hosepipe ban in place until it sees a significant rise in ground water levels.

"If the rainfall continues as it has we do expect to see levels rise in these underground sources by mid-January, when a decision on the need for a hosepipe ban will be reviewed."

The spokesman added: "We are constantly monitoring the situation but continue to take a cautious approach by keeping the restrictions in place for the moment.

"We need to be confident that the sources on which we rely most are recovering enough for us to be able to meet demand for water next spring and summer."

But it is a different picture for residents in Bedfordshire where water is supplied by Anglian Water.

The company has not had water restrictions since 1991 and say supplies are very healthy, thanks to careful use of water by customers.

"Reservoirs are in good shape and ground water shows signs of recovery," said an Anglian Water spokesman.

"Despite the wet weather we are not out of the woods yet and we are monitoring the situation very closely.

"Historically, East Anglia is a drought region and one of the driest in the UK. We have also been active in cutting leaks and we have the lowest leakage rate in the UK thanks to the £16m we have spent on repairing our system and making it more efficient.

"But we are continuing to urge our customers to be water wise to conserve water.