South West Water has announced a new hosepipe ban affecting millions of customers across five areas, as Britain continues to experience dry weather with a fresh heatwave expected.
The temporary restrictions will come into force from 12.01am on Saturday for all customers across Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset, and the Isles of Scilly. The utility firm had previously introduced a ban in July.
The move follows significantly below-average rainfall, prolonged dry weather, and soaring demand, which have put pressure on water supplies.
Heatwave Forecast
The announcement comes as the Met Office warns temperatures are set to climb steadily next week, with a "fairly widespread heatwave" likely across large swathes of England and Wales. Forecasters say highs could reach 36C in parts of East Anglia and south-east England by Thursday, following a weekend of increasingly hot and sunny weather.
Under the restrictions, customers must not use hosepipes to water gardens, wash cars, clean patios, driveways, walls or windows, or fill paddling pools, swimming pools and hot tubs. However, water can still be used as normal for drinking, cooking, washing and flushing toilets.
Exemptions and Urgent Appeal
South West Water urged customers to continue using water carefully during the drought to help safeguard the environment and water resources. The company added that certain exemptions apply, including for customers on the Priority Services Register, Blue Badge holders and those on its WaterSure tariff.
Although the ban does not officially come into force until Saturday, South West Water has urged customers to begin adhering to the measures straight away to help safeguard supplies.
Sam Bottomley, South West Water's water services director, said introducing a hosepipe ban was never a decision taken "lightly". He said: "After an extended period of exceptionally low rainfall, combined with sustained high demand during the warmer weather, our region's rivers and water resources are under significant pressure. Every litre saved now will help protect our rivers and water resources while drought conditions continue."
Driest Period on Record
South West Water said the decision came off the back of one of the "driest periods in recent years", with rainfall across the South West remaining well below seasonal averages over many months. It added that the Environment Agency had declared drought across more than half of England, including the South West.
The Met Office has also confirmed that July 2026 was the driest July for England and Wales since records began 190 years ago.
