People are breaking lockdown rules by swimming in South West reservoirs with their friends, according to reports.
During our recent heatwave, officials at Wessex Water said they experienced a spike in reports of people swimming at their sites.
Under government's measures, no one is allowed to leave home to meet with friends. People can go outside to exercise but they should remain close to their house.
Breaking the rules could result in more coronavirus -related deaths and increase pressures on the NHS.
Philip Timings, Wessex Water’s community site visitors manager, told Somerset Live: “While our reservoirs might look inviting, especially during the warm weather, they are used for supplying water to our customers and have automatic equipment under the surface which can operate without warning and cause strong currents.
“The reservoirs are in remote locations and the water is colder and deeper than it looks, heightening the risk of cold water shock that can be catastrophic for even confident swimmers.
"So there are plenty of reasons why swimming is dangerous and strictly prohibited.”
Wessex Water closed public access to its reservoirs and fisheries last month in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The company covers 10,000 square km including Bristol, most of Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and parts of Gloucestershire and Hampshire.
