- A recent YouGov poll commissioned by the Press Association found that 11 per cent of households currently under a hosepipe ban do not intend to fully comply, with an additional 5 per cent undecided.
- Seven water companies have imposed "Temporary Use Bans," affecting approximately 23 million customers, which is around 40 per cent of England's population.
- Public support for the bans is divided, with 49 per cent in favour of the restrictions in their local area and 35 per cent opposed, while only 10 per cent of householders indicated they would report a neighbour for breaching the restrictions.
- Reasons cited for potential non-compliance include concerns about wasting fruit and vegetables or supporting garden wildlife, though watering cans and specific drip irrigation systems remain permitted.
- It comes after the Environment Agency declared seven areas of central, eastern and southern England as officially in drought last week.
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