A WATER saving initiative has proved to be too good for its own success.

As part of its pledge to help reduce water usage, South West Water has been offering water-saving devices to every household across the region.

These include shower head regulators and water cistern inserts to reduce toilet flush capacity.

However, by far the most popular item has been water butts, which have been offered free with free installation. But the offer was so successful they have now run out and are waiting for more stocks to be delivered.

In the first 24 hours around 16,000 butts– in 100 and 200-litre sizes – were ordered by some of SWW’s one million customers

SWW spokesperson Beth Slow said: ‘SWW offers a range of freebies to help customers save water along with subsidised water butts.

‘In August, in response to the high levels of demand and prolonged dry weather, we took the decision to offer free water butts to our customers and these proved to be very popular.’

In fact, it proved so popular that there is currently a delay time of some five months while they source new butts.

Beth said: ‘We are working hard to source additional water butts and we will keep customers updated.

‘In the meantime, customers can still access a range of free water saving devices – such as leaky loo tests and water efficient shower heads – via our website southwestwater.co.uk where we are also sharing top tips for customers on how they can save water.’