More than half of England and Wales has been plunged into drought as the UK braces for its fifth heatwave of the year.
This week could see highs of 38C in parts of southern England, with temperatures hitting the mid 30s for large areas of the country, as hot and dry weather persists.
Millions of people have restrictions on their water use prohibiting hosepipes, sprinklers, or pressure washers for non-essential domestic tasks to conserve public water.
Some 19 counties across England recorded effectively no rainfall – 1mm or less – during July, Met Office figures show, causing river levels to fall and leaving ground dry and at risk of wildfires.
August has so far seen just five per cent of the expected rainfall for the month, with warnings of more dry weather to come.
As the drought continues to pile pressure onto farming, freight shipping and energy production after the country saw its driest July in 190 years, here The Independent looks at everything this heatwave could stop you from doing.
You can’t use a hosepipe
Nine water companies, including Thames Water, South East Water and Anglian Water, have introduced restrictions on hosepipe use due to the persistent dry weather.
South West Water was the latest water company to impose water restrictions. The utility firm said that due to below average rainfall and a high demand on supplies, customers in Devon, Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, parts of Dorset and Somerset should not use hosepipes for watering gardens, washing cars or filling up paddling pools.
However, households across the country have been advised to limit their use, with some companies asking customers to pause hosepipe activity where possible, short of a full-on ban.
Filling private swimming pools cold be banned
It’s not just using a hosepipe to water the garden that’s off limits, soon private swimming pools could also face restrictions.
Southern Water has applied to the government for permission to issue a “non-essential use ban” in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
If granted and put into action, the policy would prevent businesses from activities such as filling private swimming pools.
Car washes could be restricted
More than 70 per cent of England and Wales is in drought and hosepipe bans are in place to help conserve water.
But businesses could also be impacted, including car washes.
In addition to private swimming pools, car wash businesses could also face restrictions from Southern Water.
Excessive exercise outdoors is not recommended
As temperatures are forecast to hit 36C this week experts recommend that those who may be more vulnerable, such as older people, babies and young children, should take extra precautions.
That means for many going for a run or a long walk in the midday heat is not recommended.
When the body gets hotter, blood vessels open up, lowering blood pressure and forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood around the body - if blood pressure drops too far, the risk of heart attacks rises.
Sweating also leads to the loss of fluids and salt which can cause dehydration.
Running in hot weather can increase the risk of fainting, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
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