The UK has officially entered drought conditions in seven regions following weeks of hot, dry weather. More than 20 million households are now covered by hosepipe bans, and water companies have the power to issue fines of up to £1,000 for breaking the rules.
Helen Wakeham, director of water at the Environment Agency and chair of the National Drought Group, said: "The hot and dry weather means we are currently using water faster than nature can replenish it. A second consecutive summer drought is an exceptionally serious situation and one that will have long-lasting impacts on our environment, wildlife, and the economy."
Drought-hit regions
The seven areas affected by drought are:
- East Anglia
- Hertfordshire and all of London
- Thames Valley
- Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
- Devon and Cornwall
- The West Midlands
- Wessex (Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and south Gloucestershire)
Water companies with hosepipe bans
The water authorities currently enforcing hosepipe bans are:
- Affinity Water
- Anglian Water
- Cambridge Water
- Southern Water
- South East Water
- Thames Water
How to water your garden legally
Before doing anything, check with your water provider which exemptions apply and make sure you understand exactly what is allowed.
The simplest way to keep your garden hydrated during a hosepipe ban is to use a watering can filled straight from the tap. It takes more time and effort, but it will keep your plants alive through the hot summer.
Another option is to install an irrigation system fitted with a pressure-reducing valve and a timer. You can also use a hose that is not connected to the mains supply, for example if it draws from grey water.
Grey water is the leftover water from washing clothes, or rainwater collected in a water butt. Harvesting rainwater is also perfectly acceptable — if rain is forecast, put some containers outside to capture it and store it for the next time your garden needs watering.
