Dramatic pictures show low water levels at Woodhead Reservoir following a summer of hot and dry weather.
Recent heatwaves, which saw temperatures soar to over 30C in Greater Manchester, have left the region's reservoirs at under half capacity, according to United Utilities. In the most recent figures published on their website, water levels in the Pennine Sources (including Woodhead) were at just 48.9% - compared to an average level of 73.6% last year.
Parts of the country such as Kent and Sussex are experiencing restrictions such as hosepipe bans following the recent heatwave - but water bosses say similar measures are not being considered in Greater Manchester.
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Water levels in the Pennine Sources are down 1.9% on last week, with levels consistently dropping over the summer months. Pennine Sources were at 57.6pc of capacity in the week ending July 10 - showing a near 7pc drop in water levels in just under one month.
However, United Utilities say a regional network of pipes and water resources means that water can be shared across from Cumbria, where rainfall has been closer to expected levels.
Woodhead Reservoir lies south east of Oldham and north east of Stockport in Longdendale, north Derbyshire. It was constructed between 1847 and June 1877, and forms part of the Longdendale chain to supply water from the River Etherow to Greater Manchester.
And it is not the only reservoir in the region suffering from the lack of rainfall. Dovestone Reservoir has also experienced a dramatic drop in water levels over recent weeks, with eerie pictures showing the popular walking spot looking shockingly dry.
A United Utilities spokesperson said: “Some parts of the North West region have seen less rainfall than others, particularly the Pennine area. However, our major water sources in Cumbria have seen more normal levels of rainfall and we can use our regional network of water resources and water pipes to move supplies to where they are needed.
"We are not considering any restrictions on use, but whatever the weather, we always encourage people to use water wisely, which saves energy and money and is good for the environment.”
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