Essex and Suffolk Water Imposes First Hosepipe Ban Since 1997

The Essex and Suffolk Water utility company announced a temporary hosepipe ban affecting 14 areas across Essex and Suffolk, impacting approximately two million customers. The restrictions, which take effect immediately and will be enforced starting August 3, 2026, prohibit the use of hosepipes, sprinklers, and pressure washers for watering gardens, cleaning vehicles, washing patios or boats, and filling pools. This marks the first time the provider has imposed such restrictions since June 1997.

The decision follows a drought declaration by the Environment Agency for East Anglia, driven by a prolonged lack of rainfall, low river flows, and four summer heatwaves with temperatures exceeding 35C. Water demand in the affected counties has increased by an average of 29 million litres per day, leaving the Hanningfield Reservoir at an exceptionally low 65% capacity. Nationally, reservoir storage has fallen to 72%, nearly 10 percentage points below the long-term average, as England tracks toward its driest July on record.

This move joins Anglian Water and Affinity Water as the third provider in Essex to implement a ban, bringing the total number of people under water restrictions in the south and east of England to roughly 23 million. These legally binding Temporary Use Bans also affect Greater London, the Thames Valley, the South East, parts of the South West, and mid/south Wales. While watering cans remain permitted, violators of the bans face fines of up to £1,000.