Several regions across the United Kingdom are now facing strict hosepipe bans as the country grapples with the aftermath of its driest and warmest spring on record. The measures, aimed at conserving dwindling water supplies, affect millions of households and come as forecasters predict a third heatwave of the summer.
Yorkshire Water is the first to implement a "Temporary Usage Ban" (TUB), which comes into force today, July 11, 2025. The ban, the first of the year, will impact all 5.5 million of the company's customers. The water utility company cited "dangerously low" reservoir levels, which are currently at 55.8%, a significant 26.1% below the normal for this time of year. The region has experienced its driest spring in over a century, receiving only 15cm of rainfall between February and June, less than half of the expected average.
Under the restrictions, residents are prohibited from using hosepipes for activities such as watering gardens, washing private vehicles, filling paddling pools or hot tubs, and cleaning outdoor surfaces. However, they can still use watering cans or buckets. Businesses are exempt if the hosepipe use is for essential commercial purposes. Those who flout the ban face fines of up to £1,000.
Following suit, South East Water has announced it will be introducing a similar hosepipe ban for its customers in Kent and Sussex, starting from July 18. The company, which serves over 2 million customers, has seen record-breaking demand for drinking water since May. It stated that the restrictions are necessary to allow reservoirs and underground water storage to recover.
The Environment Agency has issued stark warnings, stating that without urgent action, England could face a water deficit of five billion litres a day by 2055 due to a combination of climate change, population growth, and the need to protect the environment.
Concerns are also growing for other parts of the country. Thames Water, the UK's largest water company with 16 million customers, has indicated that a hosepipe ban is likely for its customers in London and the Thames Valley if the dry and hot weather continues.
The bans highlight the increasing pressure on water resources in the UK. While hosepipe bans are a familiar tool for water companies during periods of drought, the early implementation this year underscores the severity of the current situation. Water companies are urging customers to conserve water to protect supplies and the environment.
While the current focus of hosepipe bans is in the United Kingdom, similar water restriction measures, often termed "watering bans," are also used in other parts of the world, notably Australia, to manage water shortages during periods of drought.
