Yorkshire Village's Water Supply Dries Up For First Time In 300 Years

Fed-up householders in the hamlet of Ryecroft, near Bingley, have been washing in buckets and taking laundry to their friends after being left without running water for three weeks.

Villagers had been well-served by an underground spring which had provided free, high-grade water since the early 1700s. But a combination of a dry winter and record-breaking summer heatwave has dried out the spring for the first time in centuries. Retired businessman John Moxon, 74, said the village might remain without running water until regular rain arrived – probably in the autumn.
"We are having to be philosophical about this. We have 21 households here with between 50 to 60 people who are all relying on friends and favours to wash themselves and do their laundry.

"Both Bradford Council and Yorkshire Water have been very good and have delivered supplies of bottled water to us. A local farmer, Julian Hartley, has also loaned us a water bowser filled with rainwater from which we are getting water to flush our toilets. "When there has been a severe drought in the past there has been a reduction in the water available – but the spring has never run dry.

"It's amazing how much you take it for granted and the amount of water that you actually need to use throughout the day. It changes your life," said Mr Moxon.

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