Millions More Face Hosepipe Bans as England Dries Out
Around 23 million people in England are now under hosepipe bans after Thames Water became the latest supplier to restrict its ten million customers. The curbs follow the driest spring on record for England and Wales and three successive heatwaves. Only 13 per cent of rivers are running at normal levels for the time of year, and several reservoirs are classed as notably or exceptionally low.
The bans, which forbid using hosepipes to water gardens or wash cars, now stretch across the Thames Valley, the Home Counties, London and the South East, where South East Water recently extended its own restrictions. Several reservoirs are running low: Blagdon in Somerset is classed as exceptionally low, and Wimbleball, Grafham and Hanningfield as notably low. Water companies face renewed criticism over leakage even as they curb household use. With little rain forecast and the heat persisting, pressure on supplies is set to intensify. Watch whether more suppliers impose bans and whether ministers escalate drought planning.