Severn Trent has made a roar-some donation of six water bowsers to West Midlands Safari Park to help keep wildlife and plants hydrated during the hot and dry summer.  

The portable bowsers can each store up to 1,100 litres of rainwater, which can later be used by the animals for drinking and for watering flowers and fauna.  

The donation comes as Severn Trent looks to give around 700 bowsers to farmers across the region following a record dry spring and summer. They can be transferred around farmland to ensure livestock have access to a source of water, which is especially important during dry conditions farmers are currently facing.

Severn Trent has now made a special bowser delivery to the safari park, based in Bewdley in Worcestershire, which is home to more than 600 animals, including lions, tigers, rhinos, elephants and giraffes.  

Angela Potter, Head of Wildlife at the park, said: "We were very appreciative of Severn Trent for approaching us with the offer of six water bowsers, as they will be so useful for us in both wildlife and gardening areas of the park.” 

She added: “With a focus on sustainability and responsible resource management during these periods of extreme hot weather, the bowsers will help us manage peak water demands during our busier periods. In turn this will contribute to the wellbeing of the animals and plants in our care, so we’re grateful for the support of Severn Trent.” 

The water bowsers were originally used as part of Severn Trent’s emergency fleet but are being repurposed as the company upgrades its equipment. 

Kevin Hatch, from Severn Trent’s Network Operations, said: “We’re delighted to be able to donate the bowsers to help the animals and plants at West Midlands Safari Park. 

“It’s great that these bowsers will be put to good use during the very hot and dry summer weather we have been experiencing and at the same time help reduce water usage.” 

Severn Trent has been urging customers to be water-wise this summer with simple tips, including: 

• Turn Off Taps When Not in Use – Did you know that a running tap uses over SIX litres of water every minute? So, by turning them off while you brush your teeth, you’ll be saving over 12 litres of water. Similarly, if you’re washing the dishes, filling the bowl with water rather than having a running tap will help to save water. 

• Fix Leaks Promptly – We often find people tend to put off getting leaks fixed, yet even small leaks can waste significant amounts of water. So regularly check your taps, showerheads and toilets for leaks and repair them as soon as possible. For more information on leak-detecting, visit here. 

• Use Water-Efficient Fixtures – We all love a power shower, but they use A LOT more water than a normal shower, so consider installing water-saving devices such as low-flow showerheads or dual-flush toilets which do the same job while using less water. 

• Try a shower timer – Showers are one of the largest users of water in a household. And while you might love singing through your setlist while washing the suds out of your hair, a shower timer might just keep you on track to spend less time in there. Not only will that help lower you water bill, but it could also cut your energy bill – and your neighbour’s ears will also benefit! 

• Run Full Loads – Dishwashers are becoming much more energy and water efficient and if used correctly, by only using them when it is full, can be more efficient than washing dishes by hand. Similarly, only using your washing machine on a full load will mean less cycles and less water used. 

Get a water meter – Once installed, most customers make a conscious effort to use less water once they switch to a water meter. The meters mean you’ll only ever pay for what you use, putting you in charge of your bills.