Anglian Water has announced a hosepipe ban affecting more than five million customers in eastern England, effective immediately, as the UK swelters through a prolonged heatwave and officials warn that drought conditions are becoming increasingly likely.
Record-Breaking Heat
The UK recorded its eighth day at or above 34°C in a calendar year on Thursday, breaking the previous high of seven days set in the summer of 1976 and in 2020. The sustained heat has placed significant strain on water resources.
UK officials have warned that the risk of drought in some parts of the country is growing, with authorities closely monitoring East Anglia, Devon, and Cornwall. Water companies are scrambling to manage increasingly tight supplies.
Anglian Water Ban Details
From 1 a.m. on Saturday, Anglian Water customers will be prohibited from using hosepipes to water gardens, wash cars, or fill swimming and paddling pools. The utility has urged customers to “live within the spirit of these restrictions immediately.”
Dr Geoff Darch, head of strategic asset planning for Anglian Water, said: “This year has been exceptionally hot and dry, and we’re already into the third heatwave of the summer. Every day of sustained hot weather increases the challenge of balancing supply and demand, and we are now at the point where we need to ask customers to help by hanging up the hosepipe, letting lawns go brown, cars go dirty and using water even more wisely to help protect the environment and ensure water remains available for all customers.”
Other Water Companies Follow Suit
Cambridge Water has announced a temporary hosepipe ban for its 350,000 customers, marking the first time in three decades that it has introduced such a restriction. The company said its teams are working around the clock to maintain supplies, but local water resources “are now under significant pressure” with demand reaching record levels after low rainfall.
South East Water introduced a ban on July 3 for areas of Kent, including Ashford, Canterbury, Faversham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Snodland, Tenterden, and Tunbridge Wells. Hosepipe restrictions are also set to come into force for about one million Southern Water customers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on Friday.
