Hosepipe ban for millions more people as latest heatwave increases risk of drought conditions

Millions more people are to be banned from using hosepipes, as officials warn the latest heatwave could increase the likelihood of drought conditions in parts of England.

On Friday, Anglian Water announced restrictions for over five million customers in the east of the country, meaning people will not be permitted to use hosepipes for watering gardens, washing cars or filling swimming and paddling pools from 1am on Saturday.

However, the company has asked that people "live within the spirit of these restrictions immediately".

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Dr Geoff Darch, head of strategic asset planning for Anglian Water, said: "This year has been exceptionally hot and dry, and we're already into the third heatwave of the summer.

"Every day of sustained hot weather increases the challenge of balancing supply and demand, and we are now at the point where we need to ask customers to help by hanging up the hosepipe, letting lawns go brown, cars go dirty and using water even more wisely to help protect the environment and ensure water remains available for all customers."

It comes amid another heatwave this week, with the UK recording its eighth day at or above 34C (93F) in a calendar year on Thursday - breaking the previous high of seven days set in the summer of 1976 and in 2020.

Officials have warned of the increased risk of drought conditions in some parts of the country, including East Anglia, Devon and Cornwall, as water companies try to manage increasingly tight resources.

Restrictions in other areas

Elsewhere, hosepipe restrictions are set to come into force for about one million Southern Water customers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on Friday.

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For the first time in three decades, Cambridge Water has announced a temporary hosepipe ban for its 350,000 customers, with the company warning local water resources "are now under significant pressure" with demand reaching record levels after low levels of rainfall.

On 3 July, South East Water introduced a ban for areas of Kent, including Ashford, Canterbury, Faversham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Snodland, Tenterden and Tunbridge Wells.

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