Sarah Gibson Demands Infrastructure Action as Hosepipe Bans Persist
MP Sarah Gibson is calling for government transparency and infrastructure investment as Thames Water maintains hosepipe bans amid severe leakage in Wiltshire.
The hosepipe ban affecting Swindon and parts of Wiltshire remains in effect as Thames Water reports that reservoir, river, and groundwater levels remain low. The restrictions, first implemented on July 23 following the hottest summer on record, persist because September rainfall reached only 58 percent of the long-term average. The company stated that sustained rainfall over several weeks or months is required before the ban can be lifted.
Chippenham MP Sarah Gibson has responded by demanding greater transparency from the government and water companies. Data reveals that Thames Water leaks in the Swindon operational area reached 35.6 million litres per day in July 2026, accounting for approximately 30 percent of the water supply. While Thames Water has identified a £43.75 million program of six schemes to address leakage through 2030, Gibson argues that restrictions cannot substitute for resilient networks.
The regional water crisis extends to Wessex Water, which implemented its first hosepipe ban in 50 years on August 18 and pledged £4.75 million for leakage reduction. Gibson has urged the Water Services Regulation Authority to examine investment progress and requested that the Environment Agency review the implementation of these bans. She further called on the Water Minister to mandate regulator-verified readiness plans before summer 2027 to prevent future restrictions.
