Southern Water has announced a hosepipe ban for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, effective from 12:01am on July 10, as the Met Office forecasts temperatures could reach 34C in parts of the UK next week. The ban comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued yellow heat health alerts across several regions of England, warning of increased risks to vulnerable people.
Heatwave Forecast and Health Alerts
The Met Office predicts temperatures will rise to 29C on Sunday, approach the low 30s early next week, and peak at 34C on Thursday or Friday in the South East. Meteorologist Becky Mitchell stated: “We have got a heatwave on the way across parts of southern England and Wales... The peak of the heat appears to be Thursday or Friday, 34C in the South East.” She added that while this heatwave will be prolonged, lasting around a week, it will not be as hot and humid as last month’s record-breaking heatwave.
Yellow heat health alerts came into force at midday on Saturday, covering the East Midlands, East of England, South East, South West (including London), and West Midlands, and will remain active until 8pm on July 11. The UKHSA warned of minor impacts on health and social care services, including increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable individuals and a greater risk to life. The agency also highlighted a potential increase in water-related incidents, such as cold water shock and drowning.
Hosepipe Ban Details
Southern Water attributed the ban to exceptionally low river levels following the warmest spring on record and a record-breaking heatwave. River levels are 25% lower than expected for this time of year, and the River Test has lost a third of its water within the last month, putting pressure on water treatment and supply. The ban prohibits non-essential uses of hosepipes, including watering gardens, filling paddling pools, hot tubs, swimming pools, ponds, or fountains, and washing cars, patios, or windows.
Customers with medical or mobility needs on the priority services register, including blue badge holders and those on the WaterSure tariff, are exempt. Southern Water stated: “We recognise that customers with medical needs may still need to use a hosepipe... Anything you can do to reduce or avoid hosepipe use would be greatly appreciated.” The ban will be lifted as soon as water levels in reservoirs, rivers, and aquifers return to normal.
Comparison to June Heatwave
Last month, the UK experienced a sweltering heatwave that set a provisional June temperature record of 37.7C in Lingwood, Norfolk, according to the Met Office. This surpassed the previous June record of 35.6C from 1976 by more than 2C, a significant margin compared to typical record breaks. The upcoming heatwave, while less intense, is expected to be prolonged, with a north-south split as northern areas see cloudier conditions and spells of rain.
Mitchell explained: “The northern areas of the country will be cloudier with spells of rain at times, so there’s a north/south split.” The Met Office also issued warnings for heavy rain in 18 areas on Saturday and 38 areas on Sunday, highlighting the contrasting weather across the UK.
