Millions of homes are under hosepipe bans (Image: Getty)
Millions of UK households have been warned of £1,000 fines under hosepipe bans as drought fears take hold. This year’s hot weather continues to break records, with eight days above 34C in a single calendar year, and the extremely dry weather has triggered several water companies to limit usage.
Anglian Water, which serves most of the East of England, was the latest to announce a hosepipe ban, which comes into force today, July 11. The company has more than 5 million customers.
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.”
Southern Water also confirmed a hosepipe ban for its customers in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight from Friday, July 10.
Cambridge Water announced a temporary hosepipe ban for its 350,000 customers, the first time in three decades that it has introduced the restriction.
South East Water introduced a temporary hosepipe on Friday July 3, including Ashford, Canterbury, Faversham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Snodland, Tenterden and Tunbridge Wells.
A hosepipe ban is different to an advisory notice. Anyone caught breaching an official ban can be issued a fine of up to £1,000.
Another hosepipe ban will be introduced next Friday by Affinity Water across its central region, affecting thousands of households across Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, and parts of London.
The company said that demand in that area is up 20% on average, but that it was receiving less water than usual from Grafham Water reservoir, which would usually provide around 10% of the region’s supply.
Affinity Water said the ban would remain in place until water resources recover sufficiently and demand returns to a sustainable level.
Thames Water, which serves Greater London, advises: “At times, we’re using water faster than we can deliver it through our network.
“Reducing your use at home, especially outdoors, will make the biggest difference. So we’re asking customers not to use hosepipes or sprinklers during heatwaves.”
Several amber heat health alerts have been put in place by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) lasting until Sunday July 12, covering every region except the North East, which has a yellow alert in place.
While some areas are not yet under a hosepipe ban, all UK households have been urged to limit their water usage during the heatwaves.
National Drought Group chair and director of water at the Environment Agency, Helen Wakeham, said in June: “While many of us enjoy the hot weather, we ask everyone to be mindful of their water use. Every drop saved leaves more available for farmers, our local rivers and wildlife.”
Water companies with hosepipe bans
- South East Water
- Southern Water
- Cambridge Water
- Anglian Water
- Affinity Water (upcoming)