Thames Water imposes immediate hosepipe ban for millions

Thames Water has announced an immediate hosepipe ban for millions of its customers across London and the Southeast, officially beginning just after midnight on Thursday, July 23. The company cited a combination of extreme weather, including the driest spring on record and three major heatwaves, and unsustainable demand as it introduced the so-called Temporary Use Ban.

Water usage across the Thames Valley and Home Counties is currently running 10 percent above normal, with London consumption 7 percent higher, amounting to an extra 100 million litres per day. During peak periods, water has been consumed faster than the system can treat and distribute it, straining local supplies. The company stated this spring saw only 40 percent of average rainfall in the region, and there has been no rain in the Thames catchment so far in July.

The restrictions mean customers supplied by Thames Water for drinking water cannot use hosepipes for non-essential activities. This includes watering gardens, washing cars, filling paddling pools, or topping up hot tubs. The utility is urging compliance immediately, despite the official start date. Essential water use for drinking, cooking, washing, and...