Anglian Water bans hosepipes for 5 million England users

A hosepipe ban affecting approximately five million customers in the East of England will come into force at 1 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, as water companies respond to prolonged dry weather and record-breaking heat. The restriction, announced by Anglian Water on Friday, prohibits the use of hosepipes and sprinklers for watering gardens, washing vehicles, cleaning outdoor surfaces, and filling swimming or paddling pools.

The ban marks the first such major restriction for Anglian Water in over a decade and follows what officials describe as an exceptionally hot and dry period. The region has experienced its third heatwave of the summer, with Thursday marking the eighth day this year that UK temperatures have reached or exceeded 34 degrees Celsius, breaking a record previously set in 1976 and 2020. Spring rainfall was only 39 percent of the expected amount, and many rivers in the region are flowing at notably or exceptionally low levels, while reservoirs are lower than usual for this time of year.

Dr. Geoff Darch, head of strategic asset planning for Anglian Water, said the sustained conditions have increased the challenge of balancing supply and demand. The company is producing 30...