Hosepipe restrictions – why are they happening and are you affected

A growing number of water companies are introducing hosepipe restrictions in an effort to combat the impact of sustained hot weather on water supplies and the environment.

As of Tuesday (21 July) eight water companies had announced temporary use bans (TUBs) – better known as hosepipe bans – to reduce demand for water, which has risen significantly during the third heatwave of the year.

These companies include:

• South East Water – restrictions covering its customers in Kent came into force on 3 July. Restrictions covering customers in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire will come into force from midnight on Saturday, 25 July
• Southern Water – restrictions covering its customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight came into force on 10 July
• Anglian Water – restrictions covering all of its customers will come into force from 11 July
• South West Water – restrictions covering customers in Mid Devon and parts of East Devon came into force from 14 July
• Cambridge Water – restrictions covering all of its customers came into force from 17 July
• Affinity Water – restrictions covering customers in its Central region came into force from 17 July
• Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water – restrictions covering its customers from Llanon, Llangwyryfon and Cwm Ystwyth in Ceredigion, across to Crymych, Llanfyrnach and Nevern in north Pembrokeshire –  and into parts of north Carmarthenshire, including Farmers, Pencader and Hermon – came into force from 19 July.
• Thames Water – restrictions covering all of its water customers came into force from 23 July

By banning the use of hosepipes – which can use as much as 1,000 litres of water an hour – the companies hope to reduce the pressure on their supply networks, protecting water for essential use and preventing further harm to the rivers, streams and other parts of the environment from which our water is sourced.

Mike Keil, CCW’s Chief Executive, said:

Hosepipe restrictions will understandably frustrate some people but water companies have a responsibility to act when sustained hot weather and rising demand for water risks harming our beautiful chalk streams, rivers and wider natural environment.

There is no hiding away from the impact of climate change and what was once considered to be extreme is rapidly becoming the new normal. Water companies have to step up the pace in adapting their infrastructure to overcome this challenge but as consumers we also need to be responsible in the way we use water.

As well as switching from a hosepipe to a watering can, there are lots of simple ways to save water which can help ease the pressure on the environment – as well as taking some of the heat out of your water bill if you’re a metered customer.

Check out our top tips to save water and explore previous episodes of our water-saving podcast Waterfall – including the bitesize Waterfall Rapids episodes