Reservoir levels in Sutton and East Surrey have returned to healthy levels after the wet end to 2012.

Sutton and East Surrey Water said although last year was acknowledged by the Met Office as the second wettest year on record, within their supply area, 2012 was only the fourth.

The Met Office reported a total rainfall of 1,330mm (52in) nationally during 2012, the firm which supplies areas including Sutton, South Croydon, Ewell and Leatherhead, recorded a total local rainfall of only 1,033mm (40in), which is 22 percent less than the UK total.

The figures indicate the unpredictability and variation of rainfall patterns across the UK.

Mike Hearty, Operations Director of Sutton and East Surrey Water said: ““We have to accept that we live in a drier than average area of the UK, which is one of the reasons why we are more prone to drought concerns than other regions.

“Although we had a very wet latter part of 2012, it is worth recalling that we had water-use restrictions in place only last Spring.

“Fortunately, last year’s overall rainfall in the company’s supply area – with April to July being the wettest four months ever recorded by us for that time of year – has now significantly replenished our underground resources and our reservoir is now 100% full.”