A new hosepipe ban has come into effect from Friday morning (July 10) as the UK remains in the grips of a blistering heatwave – the third of 2026 so far. The ban, announced by Anglian Water, affects more than five million customers across the East of England.
Heatwave and Health Alerts
The Met Office has warned that temperatures could soar as high as 36°C this week, with widespread heatwave conditions across the country. In response, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow and amber heat-health alerts affecting the whole of England until Saturday evening (July 11). UV and pollen levels are expected to be high, and the Met Office has urged people to stay out of the sun at peak times and to wear sun cream.
Anglian Water Hosepipe Ban Details
From 1am on Saturday, Anglian Water customers will not be allowed to use hosepipes for watering gardens, washing cars, or filling swimming and paddling pools. However, the utility has asked that people “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 Imposing Bans
Cambridge Water 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 levels of 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.
Full List of Areas Affected by Anglian Water Ban
Anglian Water covers a large area in the east of England. The following locations are affected: Bedford, Boston, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Colchester, Corby, Doncaster (parts), Great Yarmouth, Grimsby, Hartlepool, Huntingdon, Ipswich, King's Lynn, Lincoln, Lowestoft, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Norwich, Peterborough, Scunthorpe, Southend-on-Sea, Stamford, and Wisbech.
Drought Concerns
UK officials have recently warned that the risk of drought conditions in some parts of the country is becoming increasingly likely, with authorities keeping a close watch on East Anglia, Devon and Cornwall. Water companies are scrambling to manage increasingly tight resources as the dry and hot conditions are set to continue into another week.
