Thames Water has announced a hosepipe ban for all customers it supplies with drinking water following one of the driest springs in years, three official heatwaves and sustained high water demand.
The Temporary Use Ban (TUB) comes into force at 12.01am on Thursday 23 July and applies across the company’s supply area, including Swindon and parts of Wiltshire.
Under the restrictions, customers must not use hosepipes for non-essential activities such as watering gardens, washing cars, filling paddling pools or topping up hot tubs.
Thames Water is urging customers to begin following the restrictions immediately, ahead of the official start date.
The company said water demand has remained exceptionally high during recent periods of record temperatures. Usage is currently around 10% above normal across the Thames Valley and Home Counties, and 7% above normal in London.
On average, customers are using an extra 100 million litres of water every day across London and the Thames Valley. Thames Water said this is the equivalent of adding all the homes in Manchester to its network.
During peak periods, water has been used faster than it can be treated and moved through parts of the network, increasing pressure on local supplies.
The company said it is now moving to the next stage of its drought plan to help protect both customer supplies and the environment.
Nevil Muncaster, Director of Strategic Water Resources at Thames Water, said: “We would not be taking this step unless it was necessary to protect water supplies for everyone and the environment.
“Recent heatwaves and a very dry spring and summer have led to sustained high demand. While there is enough water for essential use, we need to reduce non-essential outdoor demand to keep taps flowing.
“Many customers have already reduced their water use and that support has made a difference. Thank you to everyone who has already changed their daily habits.
“Our teams are working 24/7 to keep water moving, fix leaks and support customers. We will keep the situation under close review and lift restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so.”
