Two UK water companies are putting hosepipe bans in place as temperatures continue to spike after June’s record breaking heatwave.
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.
South East Water has reintroduced an official temporary hosepipe use ban covering much of the Kent region from Friday 3 July. It comes just a week after it put one in place in the county during June’s heatwave.
Southern Water has also confirmed that a hosepipe ban will be put in place for its customer in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight from Friday 10 July.
The Met Office has warned that the third heatwave of the year can be expected next week, but adds that it will not be as “hot or as humid ... and not quite as impactful” as the event seen in last month.
It was the hottest June on record for England, the meteorological authority has confirmed, with the highest temperature provisionally set in Lingwood, Norfolk, on 26 June, with the heat climbing to 37.7C. The previous record of 35.6C was set in Southampton in June 1976
A hosepipe ban is different to an advisory notice. Anyone caught breaching an official ban can be issued a fine of up to £1,000.
Others have asked customers to limit their use during the heat spikes.
Thames Water, which serves Greater London, advises: “At times, we're using water faster than we can deliver it through our network.
“Reducing your use at home, especially outdoors, will make the biggest difference. So we're asking customers not to use hosepipes or sprinklers during heatwaves.”
Meanwhile, Affinity Water, serving home counties like Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, writes to customers online: “You can help your community by using less, which will make a big difference, meaning there’s more to go around.”
Several yellow heat health alerts have been put in place by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) lasting until Saturday 11 July, covering the Midlands and East of England, London and southern regions.
While heat is expected to be less severe than June’s heatwave, it will still present health risks and challenges for water firms which are still recovering from the event.
All households have been urged to limit their water usage during the heatwaves. National Drought Group chair and director of water at the Environment Agency, Helen Wakeham, said in June: “We enter summer in a generally favourable position, but we can never be complacent ahead of those crucial drier months.
“Heatwaves will continue to be a concern as they can drive spikes in water demand, so we need to continue to work collaboratively to use our finite water wisely.
“While many of us enjoy the hot weather, we ask everyone to be mindful of their water use. Every drop saved leaves more available for farmers, our local rivers and wildlife.”
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