Thames Water joins hosepipe ban as England and Wales approach drought status
Summary
Thames Water will ban hosepipe use for over 10 million people in London and the Thames valley starting Thursday, due to very low water supplies caused by dry weather and high demand. Other water companies in England and Wales have also imposed or extended hosepipe bans as the region gets closer to official drought status.Key Facts
- Thames Water’s hosepipe ban affects more than 10 million customers in London and the Thames valley.
- South East Water extended its hosepipe ban to 2.4 million customers in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire.
- Five other water companies have already imposed hosepipe bans in England and Wales.
- England and Wales have experienced months of hot, dry weather with three heatwaves and the driest spring on record.
- Water demand is about 10% higher than usual in the Thames valley and home counties, and 7% higher in London.
- National reservoirs hold 78.8% of typical water levels, about 5% below average, and only 13% of rivers are at normal levels.
- Officials warn drought is likely soon despite a wet winter earlier in the year.
- The hot weather and drought conditions are hurting farmers, wildfires have increased, and vegetation is very dry and vulnerable to fire spread.
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