Thames Water Joins South East Water in Expanding Hosepipe Bans

Thames Water announced a Temporary Use Ban affecting 10.1 million customers across London, the Thames Valley, and the Home Counties, effective 12:01 am on Thursday, July 23. The restriction prohibits the use of hosepipes, pressure washers, and sprinklers for watering gardens, filling pools, and cleaning vehicles, though watering cans and buckets remain permitted. This action follows three heatwaves and the driest spring on record for England and Wales.

The move expands a growing regional crisis. South East Water previously introduced a temporary ban for 2.4 million customers in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire, following the longest unbroken spell of no rainfall this century in central and south-east England. Combined with restrictions from Southern Water and South West Water, an estimated 23 million people across England are now under or facing water restrictions.

The Environment Agency reported that reservoir storage levels in England are at 79%, which is five percentage points below the long-term average. The agency declared prolonged dry weather in eight areas, including London and East Anglia, placing these regions one stage away from official drought status. The National Drought Group is currently coordinating a cross-sector response to manage water demand, which has risen up to 10% above normal levels in the London area.