As England grapples with persistent drought and record heat, a growing number of water companies have imposed hosepipe bans to conserve dwindling water supplies. Thames Water has joined Yorkshire Water and South East Water in announcing restrictions that will affect millions of residents this summer.
Starting Tuesday, 22 July, about one million Thames Water customers in parts of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Wiltshire will be subject to a hosepipe ban. This measure follows similar bans introduced last Friday by Yorkshire Water and South East Water. In addition, South East Water has advised customers in certain regions to limit water use during specific times of the day.
Hosepipe bans prohibit the use of hoses for gardening, washing vehicles, filling paddling pools or ponds, and cleaning paths, walls, or windows. Violating these restrictions can result in fines up to £1,000. Essential water users such as garden centres and car washes are exempt from the ban.
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The affected areas correspond to specific postcode zones within Thames Water’s service region; customers in London, served by the same company, are not impacted at this time. Water customers serviced by other companies in Yorkshire and the South East without hosepipe bans remain unaffected.
The Environment Agency has classified the regions covered by Thames Water as experiencing “prolonged dry weather.” Thames Water’s drought plan aims to mitigate risks to water supply and ensure essential water availability through the summer heatwave.
With hot weather forecast to continue, water companies across the UK are closely monitoring reservoir levels. Further hosepipe bans may be introduced in other areas if drought conditions worsen. Residents are encouraged to consult the interactive map to see if their local area is subject to restrictions.
Thames Water emphasized the urgency of the ban, stating: “This year, the UK experienced one of its warmest and driest springs in over a century. June was England’s warmest on record. The Environment Agency has placed our region into the prolonged dry weather category. Implementing the hosepipe ban will help protect the environment and ensure sufficient water supply throughout the summer.”