Millions are bracing for hosepipe bans as a severe heatwave and drought conditions grip southern England and parts of Wales, leaving 20 million households affected. The largest water company in the UK, Thames Water, will impose restrictions on Thursday, July 23rd, urging customers to comply immediately.
South East Water is expanding its ban from this weekend, affecting all 2.4 million of its customers. Reservoir and river levels have fallen significantly, with some regions reporting alarmingly low water levels for this time of year. These measures are enforced under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, which prohibits the use of hosepipes for non-essential activities.
Hosepipe bans include watering gardens with a hose or sprinkler system, filling pools, ponds, fountains, washing cars, patios, or windows. However, residents can still use watering cans filled from a tap or collected rainwater for their gardens. Breaching the ban is a criminal offence, carrying fines of up to £1,000.
Exceptions apply to newly laid turf (up to 28 days), recently planted trees and plants (within the last 14 days), animal welfare, health and safety, and religious practices. The Environment Agency has confirmed eight areas across England are experiencing prolonged dry weather, a stage immediately preceding drought declarations.
The Met Office reported June was the hottest on record for England, with temperatures reaching 37.7C in Norfolk. July's sparse rainfall (0-9% of the long-term average) heightens the likelihood of drought declarations across regions this summer, echoing last year's widespread droughts in England, Wales, and eastern Scotland.