Residents have been reassured that there are "no concerns" with a Welsh reservoir after low water levels were spotted there. Locals living near Pentwyn reservoir in Merthyr Tydfil raised concerns on social media after spotting low levels at the reservoir, which feeds into the main Pontsticill Reservoir.
Residents said the reservoir was "the lowest [they] have seen it" and questioned whether it was being caused by the recent hot weather the UK has had over the summer which saw Wales record its highest temperatures in its history. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) confirmed on August 19 that the thresholds had been met to enter drought status in several areas of south-west Wales following the extended period of dry weather and high temperatures.
The conditions in July and August also prompted Dwr Cymru Welsh Water to introduce a hosepipe ban for more than 60,000 households served by Llys y Fran reservoir in Pembrokeshire, although it has stressed that this "does not pose an immediate risk to water supplies." You can read more about that here.
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However it could be set to get a lot wetter as several hours of thunderstorms have been predicted for parts of Wales on Monday. You can read more about how that will impact your area here.
Despite the dry weather, residents have been told the low levels at Pentwyn reservoir are nothing to worry about. A spokesperson from Dwr Cymru Welsh Water said: "Despite low water levels seen at Pentwyn Reservoir, we have no concerns over water resources in this area as Pentwyn Reservoir is not used for drinking water supplies."
Tracey Dunford, drought coordinator for NRW, said: “Wales is currently facing one of the driest summers in 40 years, having only received just over 30% of its average rainfall for August. Despite intermittent rainfall, river levels are receding or in some cases drying up and reservoir levels across Wales continue to decline.
"We’re working alongside Welsh Government, water companies and a number of other partners to monitor the ongoing situation and to ensure the needs of the environment and the public are met. We’re urging the public to follow the advice of their water companies and to use water wisely in drought affected areas of Wales.”
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