UK faces record heatwave and widespread water bans

The United Kingdom is enduring its third major heatwave of the summer, with temperatures reaching 35.2 degrees Celsius in Derbyshire on Friday, July 10, and setting several new national records. The Met Office confirmed that 2026 is now the first year on record to have seen temperatures of 35C or higher on six separate days, surpassing the previous record of five days set in 1976 and 2020. This year has also become the first to record such highs across three calendar months-May, June, and July-and has broken the record for most days at or above 34C, with nine so far this summer.

The prolonged hot and dry conditions, which followed a record-warm spring, are placing severe strain on water resources across southern and eastern England. In response, multiple water companies have imposed hosepipe bans affecting millions of households. Affinity Water announced a ban set to begin on July 17 for approximately 1.1 million customers in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, and parts of London. The company stated the decision was necessary due to unprecedented demand and the need to protect supplies for vulnerable customers and the environment.