5:06pm Monday 21st May 2012
By Ben Endley
Restrictions on water use imposed as part of the hosepipe ban are to be relaxed from today in Hertfordshire.
The ban, introduced on April 5, will still prohibit householders washing cars or watering the garden with a hose will remain in place but businesses whose income is solely dependant on turf laying and planting will be able to use the minimum amount of water to preserve new gardens, lawns and plants for a period up to 28 days.
Veolia Water said the decision to relax the ban came after "significant rainfall and the reduced demand for water due to the hosepipe ban" but said this had only led to a small increase in the levels of underground aquifers .
Mike Pocock, water resources manager at Veolia Water, said: "We are keen to help businesses where we can.
"Unfortunately at present, we will not be relaxing the temporary use ban further, as we need to conserve our supply of water to prepare for the possibility of a third dry autumn and winter.
"Months of wet weather, particularly during the next autumn and winter period will be needed to restore groundwater to normal levels".
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