EIGHT reservoirs in East Lancashire are not being used to supply water despite the area suffering from the driest six months in 80 years.

United Utilities has said the water quality in the reservoirs is too poor for them to provide drinking water and it would be too costly to upgrade them.

But critics said it was “ludicrous” that the water could not be used while people face a hosepipe ban.

Coun Tony Melia, deputy leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “It’s very disheartening to drive past a reservoir brimming full, and yet they’re stopping us from using water.

Critics also questioned why money has not been invested over the years to upgrade the reservoirs.

The eight which have been taken out of supply are:

  • Alston 3 in Longridge, which supplied Blackburn
  • Cowm in Whitworth, which supplied Rossendale, Bolton and Rochdale
  • Foul Water Lodge in Piethorne Valley near Rochdale, which supplied Rossendale, Bolton and Rochdale
  • Grimsargh 1, 2 and 3, which supplied Blackburn
  • Plantation 1 and 2 in Accrington, which supplied Hyndburn
  • .

A further 10 of the company’s 78 reservoirs in East Lancashire have never been used in the water supply, but instead top up rivers and canals.

Shaun Robinson, of United Utilities, said water bills would have to go up significantly if all the improvement work was undertaken.

He said: “There are several reasons why some small reservoirs are no longer used.

“Often, the raw water quality is not good enough and it would simply cost too much to sort it out.

“If we had to treat the water so that it passed tough new European Union standards, build a new £500million treatment centre, and all the pipes to link the reservoirs back into the system, the average household would see their bills triple.

“All of our research shows that people are prepared to take a one-in-20-year hose pipe ban rather than pay those prices.”

Mr Robinson added: “In the past 14 years, demand for water across the North West has fallen.

“This is because we’ve halved the amount of leakages, and also, major industries that used a lot of water have now gone.

“We don’t need small reservoirs anymore.”

Coun Melia said: “I think that United Utilities should stop paying out so much in dividends to their shareholders and start putting money into their infrastructure which is unserviceable.

“I think there is an argument for this service to be nationalised.”

Pendle Councillor David Whipp said: “It seems ludicrous to have potentially useable water on your doorstep you can’t use.”

Brian Jackson, from the East Lancs Friends of the Earth branch, said he had “some sympathy” for United Utilities, but said investment was needed.

He said: “An investigation is needed into why they are polluted. I’m sure that some of these must be borderline cases that can be put right with a bit of investment.

“Pumping water down from the Lake District must cost a bit of money, with all the extra pipe work needed.

“But first we must all look at how much water we use and see if we can reduce it.”

Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry said United Utilities couldn’t be expected to plan for all eventualities.

He said: “I think the issue is more with fixing leaks rather than the number of reservoirs and United Utilities has to look at being economical and investing in dealing with problems. ”

A hosepipe ban was brought in by United Utilities on July 9 because water levels in reservoirs had fallen to around half.

Anyone flouting the ban, which could last well into next year, faces a fine of up to £1,000.

A drought permit application was also made to allow the company to release less water from the Rivington and Longdendale reservoirs back into rivers, and to take additional water out of Windermere.