HOUSEHOLDS across the Keighley district are being encouraged to be more 'water savvy' – despite the recent high rainfall.

Stock levels in the region's reservoirs, which were left depleted – and led to drought orders and a hosepipe ban – following last year's heatwave and prolonged dry spell, have recovered to 85 per cent.

But industry bosses say it remains important for people to conserve supplies.

Water UK has issued advice for people to cut back on their usage – which it says will not only help guard against the effects of another potential dry summer, but also cut household bills.

For the first time, the industry body is staging its Water’s Worth Saving campaign – normally just held during the summer months – in winter.

Peter Jenkins, for Water UK, says: "If we don’t act now to reduce our water usage, we could be paying for it later in the year.

"That’s why we’re running our Water’s Worth Saving campaign – watersworthsaving.org.uk – this winter, providing the public with advice and simple tips to help save water and safeguard the environment all year round.

"The record-breaking dry and warm weather last summer left reservoir stocks in England at their lowest levels on record. Whilst recent rainy weather has helped alleviate the damage, some parts of the country remain at risk of severe drought again this summer.

"Using water carefully at home now will not only make restrictions less likely this summer, but it will give the environment time to recover.

"The water industry recognises that it has a part to play. Most recent Ofwat figures show leakage has fallen each and every year since 2018-19 and is now at the lowest level ever recorded."

Yorkshire Water says that by making simple changes, people can not only help the environment but also cut their energy bills.

It has produced a 'Teapot Index' which calculates the cost of heating water in different domestic scenarios.

Emily Brady, for Yorkshire Water, says: "Managing water use in the home is a great way to keep bills down. The environmental benefits of saving water are well known, but there are also great cost savings to reducing your usage. Whether that’s only putting your washing machine on when it’s full, or spending less time in the shower, if each household made a few small changes they could save a fortune annually."

For more advice, visit yorkshirewater.com/your-water/save-water.