A woman has admitted breaking the hosepipe ban to fill paddling pools, saying she "couldn't care less" as the fifth heatwave of the year hits England.
Temperatures are forecast to reach as high as 36C on Thursday, with more than 45 million people now living under drought conditions across the country. Hosepipe bans have been introduced in large parts of England and Wales due to critically low river and reservoir levels.
Restrictions and fines
Under the restrictions, people are not allowed to use hosepipes for watering gardens, filling paddling pools, or washing cars. Those who break the rules can face a £1,000 fine, unless they are exempt.
However, not everyone is following the guidelines. Carla, from Barking in Essex, told The i Paper: "The water companies are literally pumping s**t into our rivers and seas constantly and taking no responsibility for it."
She added: "They take months to fix leaks in the pipes down our road, which wastes a lot of water, and meanwhile the boss of Thames Water gets a £1m salary, and the other bosses get a fortune too."
Defiant stance
Carla admitted using the hose to water her garden and fill paddling pools for her grandchildren. She branded the ban an "absolute joke" and said it was left up to "ordinary people" to "sort" out the problem.
In July, Essex and Suffolk Water announced a ban to protect water supplies following a near-rainless month in East Anglia. It came into effect immediately but was enforced from August 3.
Water company response
Water director Kieran Ingram said: "The Environment Agency has placed the region into drought because of the prolonged lack of rainfall, low river flows and dry soils, all of which are putting increasing pressure on the environment across East Anglia."
He added: "At times like this, it's important that we all play our part. We want to thank the many customers who have already voluntarily stopped using their hosepipes, and we're now asking everyone else to join them by following these temporary restrictions."
"This isn't a decision we've taken lightly, but it's the right thing to do. By reducing non-essential water use, we're helping to protect our precious rivers and wildlife while also safeguarding water supplies, so they remain available for everyone as the hot, dry weather continues."
