A hosepipe ban has been introduced in a small area of Gloucestershire due to rising water demand amid dry conditions, with residents urged to use water wisely to avoid the ban spreading.
Thames Water, responsible for supplying water to areas including Cirencester, Fairford, and nearby villages such as Quenington and Coln St Aldwyns, implemented the ban at midnight on July 23. Popular Cotswold tourist spots like Moreton-in-Marsh, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Tetbury are also affected. The ban impacts roughly 30,000 to 40,000 residents served by Thames Water in Gloucestershire.
Despite this, other parts of Gloucestershire currently face no hosepipe bans. Bristol Water, which serves much of South Gloucestershire and parts of Tetbury, confirmed they have no plans to impose restrictions. Their spokesperson highlighted balanced reservoir levels and ongoing investments to strengthen supplies and reduce leaks.
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Bristol Water encourages customers to make small adjustments like taking shorter showers, using watering cans instead of hoses, and keeping chilled water available to reduce demand. They also reminded the public to take care in the heat and avoid entering reservoirs due to safety risks.
Severn Trent Water and Wessex Water have similarly appealed to customers to conserve water. Severn Trent reports unprecedented demand due to persistent heatwaves and urges mindful water use to prevent restrictions unseen for 30 years. They suggest simple measures such as using watering cans, which consume far less water than sprinklers.
Wessex Water assured that no hosepipe ban is currently expected in their area, thanks to good reservoir and groundwater levels following a wet winter. However, they noted that prolonged hot weather can affect water pressure during peak times and recommended measures like replacing hoses with watering cans or reusing paddling pool water.
Welsh Water, covering parts of western Gloucestershire, also stated there are no current plans to restrict water use.
Across Gloucestershire, water companies emphasize that small changes by customers can significantly help manage the region’s water resources during this dry spell and reduce the likelihood of wider hosepipe bans.