Wessex Water has announced a hosepipe ban for its 1.4 million customers, effective from August 18, 2026. The restrictions will apply to customers in Bath, Somerset, Dorset, and Wiltshire.
This measure comes as drought conditions continue to affect large parts of the country, with over 27 million people now subject to water-use restrictions. The summer of 2026 has seen significant pressure on water supplies due to prolonged dry weather and multiple periods of extreme heat.
Separately, the average combined water and sewerage bill in England and Wales has risen to £639 for 2026/27, an increase of £33 (5.4%) from the previous year. Water UK states that these charges, which took effect from April 1, 2026, partly fund a major investment programme in water and wastewater infrastructure.