Why not carry on taking it easy with the hosepipe this spring - that's the reminder from Three Valleys Water following the glorious Easter weather.

The water supply company would like to thank everyone for using water sensibly in the garden over the Easter weekend. However, when the hot weather continued every weekend, (April 14 and 15) it appears that hosepipes and sprinklers have been out in force to water lawns and plants.

On Sunday, April 15 Three Valleys Water supplied 931 million litres of water - that's the largest quantity on any one day so far this year. The average daily amount of water supplied by the company is 870 million litres, with garden watering accounting for the peaks.

"We would like to remind our customers to stick with the water-saving habits learnt during the last drought and ask everyone to take use water wisely, especially in their gardens. Just because the weather is warm we mustn't mistake this for a drought and most garden plants do not need watering at this time of year," said Mike Pocock, Water Resources Manager. "

He added: "Lawns can survive long periods of dry weather if the grass is not cut too short - grass does not need to be watered daily, even if it is turning brown. And, if you are watering plants, then use water collected in a water butt, and water in the cool of early morning or evening so it doesn't evaporate."

Sprinklers used for garden watering can use up to 1,000 litres of water in just one hour - which is as much as a family of four uses in a day! Customers who use a sprinkler must have a water meter fitted, so they pay for the amount of water they use.

So please try to take it easy with your water use, especially in the garden, this spring and summer and do your bit to help conserve the precious resource.

Other things green-fingered customers can do to be water-wise in their gardens include: Leave grass cuttings on the lawn to hold in moisture and return nutrients to the soil Dig in plenty of organic material like well-rotted compost or farmyard manure to improve the water-retaining properties of the soil.

Consider making more use of plants from drier countries, like geraniums, lavenders and many useful kitchen herbs.

Reduce water loss through evaporation by protecting the garden from wind. Fences, walls and hedges all make good windbreaks.

Invest in a hand-held trigger hose, or use a watering can, to focus the water at the base of plants where it will do most good.

Use water from dish rinsing or vegetable washing to water your garden.

Select drought-tolerant plants that don't need too much water For further advice on water efficiency in the garden and the home check out our website at www.3valleys.co.uk.