- Thames Water has warned that its hosepipe ban is likely to remain in force until the end of the year to protect the environment following a record-breaking dry summer.
- The restriction affects 10.1 million Thames Water customers, contributing to more than 27 million people currently facing water restrictions across England.
- July rainfall in the Thames catchment area was less than 1mm, though household demand has fallen by 3 per cent across London since the ban was introduced on 23 July.
- The Environment Agency forecasts drier-than-normal conditions over the coming months, with London reservoir storage currently lower than expected at 74 per cent.
- Thames Water, currently struggling under nearly £20bn in debt, said that a planned new reservoir in Abingdon is unlikely to be operational until 2040.
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