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July saw the hottest temperatures ever recorded in British history, with 40.3°C provisionally recorded at Coningsby, Lincolnshire on July 19. The Met Office issued its longest-range Amber heat warning ever and its first ever Red warning for extreme heat over the conditions. As a result, many water companies have flagged their reservoirs are low.

Is there a hosepipe ban?

A hosepipe ban has been enforced for Southern Water customers from August 5.

Using hosepipes to water gardens, clean cars, fill ornamental ponds and swimming pools will not be allowed.

The firm said the ban was a “vital step” to protect the habitats of the River Test and the River Itchen where it extracts water.

Southern Water explained: “For the past eight months we’ve had very little rain – way below average. In fact, we’re experiencing one of the driest years on record (for the past 131 years). River flows are now approximately 25% lower than they should be at this time of year, so we’re asking you to limit your use to reduce the risk of further restrictions and disruption to water supplies, but more importantly to protect our local rivers.”

Is there a hosepipe ban in my area?

The hosepipe ban is in force for areas of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for everyone who has their water supplied by Southern Water. 

A map showing all postcode areas affected by the TUB can be found below.

What can’t you do during a hosepipe ban?

The following activities are banned:

• Watering a garden using a hosepipe 
• Cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a hosepipe
• Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe
• Cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe 
• Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool
• Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use
• Filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe
• Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain
• Cleaning walls, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe; 
• Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe
• Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe. 

This is the first time a TUB has been seen in the region since 2012. 

Dr Alison Hoyle, Director of Risk & Compliance at Southern Water, said: “We haven’t taken this decision lightly and we know the Temporary Use Ban will have an impact on our customers. We’re working with the Environment Agency to ensure that we act responsibly to protect our environment. We’re asking everyone in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to do their bit by supporting these measures and only use the water that they need. 

“We’re experiencing one of the driest years on record for over a century and we’ve seen record temperatures. River flows are approximately 25% lower than they should be for July, which is equivalent to losing more than 25 million bathtubs of water. We’re asking our customers to help protect our rivers and the habitats that live there by cutting back their water use. We believe a Temporary Use Ban is a responsible and vital step to reducing the amount of water being taken from the Rivers Test and Itchen.”  

Anglian Water has ruled out a hosepipe ban for the East of England despite the dry summer.

Spokeswoman Regan Harris said Anglian Water officials would continue to monitor the situation but there was “no immediate cause for concern”.

She said: “We’re not proposing any restrictions at the moment but we definitely need to be mindful of the water we are using, to make sure there’s enough to go around.

“If we get a second dry winter things will look significantly different for next year.”

despite the dry summer.

Spokeswoman Regan Harris said Anglian Water officials would continue to monitor the situation but there was “no immediate cause for concern”.

She said: “We’re not proposing any restrictions at the moment but we definitely need to be mindful of the water we are using, to make sure there’s enough to go around.

“If we get a second dry winter things will look significantly different for next year.”

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