Millions more under hosepipe ban as nation swelters in third heatwave
Millions more people will be banned from using hosepipes as officials warn drought conditions are increasingly likely while the nation swelters in another lengthy heatwave.
Another record tumbled on Thursday when the UK recorded its eighth day at or above 34C in a calendar year, breaking the previous high of seven days set in the summer of 1976 and in 2020.
Officials said the risk of drought for some parts of the country in the coming weeks is also growing as it faces its third heatwave in three months following a record warm spring.
Water minister Emma Hardy met with water firm bosses last week to discuss their preparedness for a hot summer as strain on supplies intensifies.
Authorities are keeping a close watch on East Anglia, Devon and Cornwall, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, while water companies are scrambling to manage increasingly tight resources.
Separately, the Met Police urged people to avoid getting in touch for non-emergencies amid a surge in 999 calls during the hot weather and World Cup.
Hosepipe bans have now been announced for the East of England, Cambridge, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and areas of Kent as well as parts of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey and London.
Several firms have also urged customers to take voluntary actions to limit their water use, although they have stopped short of introducing restrictions.
It comes as the UK faces growing pressure on its water system as human-driven climate change disrupts rainfall patterns and drives more extreme weather events.
This has been compounded by population increases as well as years of underinvestment in infrastructure putting further strain on the system, including no new reservoirs being built in 30 years and leaking pipes.
On Friday afternoon, Affinity Water announced that it will introduce a hosepipe ban across its central region from July 17.
Customers across Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey and parts of London must not use a hosepipe for activities such as watering gardens, washing cars, patios, paths and driveways, cleaning windows or filling swimming and paddling pools.
The utility said the region has seen a continued pattern of hot, dry weather while demand for water is higher than would normally be expected – up 20% on average.
It comes after Anglian Water announced a hosepipe ban for its more than five million customers in the East of England.
The ban will come into force from 1am on Saturday but the utility has asked that people “live within the spirit of these restrictions immediately”.
Cambridge Water announced a temporary hosepipe ban for its 350,000 customers, marking the first time in three decades it has introduced the restriction.
In a notice on Thursday afternoon, the company said its teams are working around the clock to maintain supplies, but local water resources “are now under significant pressure” with demand reaching record levels after low levels of rainfall.
South East Water introduced a ban on July 3 for areas of Kent, including those in Ashford, Canterbury, Faversham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Snodland, Tenterden and Tunbridge Wells.
Hosepipe restrictions are also set to come into force for about one million Southern Water customers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on Friday.
Elsewhere, Thames Water has asked customers to limit their hosepipe use, although it has not introduced a formal ban.
Severn Trent, Essex and Suffolk Water, Wessex Water and Portsmouth Water are also urging customers to use water wisely amid the heatwave.
As part of its response to growing pressure on water resources, the Government has announced a slew of reforms including plans for nine new reservoirs.
More than £104 billion in private investment has been committed to cutting leaking pipes, building these reservoirs and other measures to secure supplies.
Ministers are also preparing to respond to a consultation on proposals to change building rules so new homes are fitted with water efficient appliances.
An Environment Department (Defra) spokesperson said: “Customers deserve a reliable supply, which is why we’re investing in record infrastructure and nine new reservoirs, while our Water White Paper sets out long-term reforms for the sector to ensure assets are maintained and problems identified before they cause shortages.
“Hosepipe bans are a matter for water companies, but they can save water when supplies are stretched from peaks in demand.”
Deputy Metropolitan Police commissioner Matt Jukes has called on the public to “hold back” on non-emergency calls.
Speaking on LBC Radio on Friday ahead of a weekend when England plays again in the Fifa World Cup and temperatures are expected to remain high, he said: “We’re going to see more calls. We’re going to see more drinking. I hope we’re going to see more great goals for England, and we’re going to see success.”
He added: “Call us on the things we need to. Please hold back on the calls we don’t need to take.
“Officers out there are melting in the heat but they will be there to come to you if you need us.”
In a post on X, the London police force said people should only call 999 if there is “an immediate danger to life, someone is using or threatening violence, or a crime is happening right now”.
Published: by Radio NewsHub