AS the impact of a long, hot and very dry summer continues into the autumn - with the region still subject to a hosepipe ban - a water company that has thanked residents for being prudent and careful to conserve water, has not acted with great haste to plug a long-running leak.

Its inaction belies its own mantra: "every drop saved today will help protect water supplies."

Essex & Suffolk Water recently published a message of gratitude to householders and businesses who reduced by seven per cent since the introduction of the hosepipe ban in early August.

It said: "While recent rainfall has been welcomed, the company is reminding customers that the region remains in drought, and that sustained water saving will play a vital role in protecting water resources for the months ahead.

"Although September's rainfall has brought some relief, reservoir levels across Essex are still below average at only 46% full, so months of significant and sustained rainfall is needed before drought conditions can come to an end."

The water company is encouraging customers to continue water-saving habits with director Kieran Ingram saying: "We're incredibly grateful to our customers for the efforts they've already made to save water. The seven per cent reduction in demand we've seen since the Temporary Use Ban was introduced shows what can be achieved when we all work together."

However, 'all working together' doesn't seem to fit the bill for motorists who have been watching a long running leak on the A128, close to the Dog and Partridge pub.

A vast amount of water has simply drained away after bubbling through the tarmac and though it's been reported several times over a number of weeks, it continues to leak.

Today (Wednesday, 30 September) a spokesperson for Essex & Suffolk Water conceded it was aware of the problem but it presented a question of priorities.

She said: "We're aware of a leak on the A128 and our teams are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

"We recognise this is a busy route and serves a number of local businesses, so we are liaising closely with those affected to help minimise disruption.

"Any traffic management required to safely carry out repairs is being carefully planned to reduce the impact on road users and businesses wherever possible.

"The repair is being treated as a priority, and we will continue to provide updates as work progresses."

Going back to overarching issues, the company slightly shot itself in the foot by mentioning the importance of 'every drop saved'.

It continued its message, saying: "However, while recent rainfall has been welcome, we're not out of drought conditions yet. The reality is that every drop saved today will help protect water supplies for next year and beyond.

"The environmental impacts of drought don't disappear overnight. While many people will have seen the effects of the dry weather over the summer, the impact on wildlife, rivers and ecosystems can continue for years.

"That's why we're asking customers to keep thinking carefully about how they use water. Small actions, such as taking shorter showers, fixing dripping taps and only using the water you need, can make a real difference."

The company continues to encourage customers to make simple changes around the home and garden, including:

• Turning off the tap while brushing teeth
• Taking shorter showers
• Fixing leaky loos and dripping taps
• Only running washing machines and dishwashers with full loads, and using eco mode
• Reusing water where possible for plants and gardens (such as collecting water from washing fruit and veg)

And it added: "Essex & Suffolk Water is continuing to take proactive action to protect water supplies and has introduced additional leakage-focused teams dedicated to finding and repairing leaks as quickly as possible, helping to minimise water loss from the network.

"So far in 2026, teams have successfully repaired 5,749 leaks, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to reducing leakage and safeguarding supplies for customers. Alongside this, the water company is working closely with business customers and their retailers to help reduce water use across the non-household sector and improve overall water efficiency.

"By continuing to save water now, customers can help protect local water resources, support the environment and build resilience for future dry periods."