Millions more face hosepipe ban as UK drought risk grows in third heatwave | UK | News
People on the Long Walk in Windsor, Berkshire. Extreme heat in the UK is causing an early harvest and forcing local authorities to impose a cyclone ban, with forecasters confirming that last month was Western Europe’s warmest June ever. Picture date: Friday, July 10, 2026. (Image: © 2026 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
Millions of Britons will be banned from using hosepipes as officials warn drought conditions are increasingly likely as the country swelters in another long heatwave. The UK recorded its eighth day of temperatures at or above 34C on Thursday, breaking the previous seven-day high set in the summer of 1976 and in 2020.
It comes after Anglian Water announced a hose ban for more than five million customers in the East of England. The ban will come into force from 1am on Saturday, but the utility has asked people to “immediately live in the spirit of these restrictions”. However, the company asked people to “live in accordance with the spirit of these restrictions as soon as possible.”
According to officials, the risk of drought is increasing in the coming weeks in some parts of the country, which is facing its third heat wave in three months after a record warm spring. A tornado ban has now been declared for the East of England, Cambridge, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Kent, as well as Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey and parts of London.
People enjoying the warm weather on the beach at Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside. Extreme heat in the UK is causing an early harvest and forcing local authorities to impose a cyclone ban, with forecasters confirming that last month was Western Europe’s warmest June ever. Picture date: Friday, July 10, 2026. (Image: © 2026 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
Some companies also urged their customers to take voluntary action to limit their water use, but they fell short of imposing restrictions.
On Friday afternoon, Affinity Water announced it would impose a hosepipe ban in its central region effective July 17.
Customers in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey and some parts of London should not use a hosepipe for activities such as watering gardens, washing cars, patios, paths and driveways, cleaning windows or filling swimming and children’s pools.
In an announcement on Thursday afternoon, the company said its teams were working around the clock to maintain supply, but local water supplies were “currently under significant pressure” and demand had reached record levels following low rainfall levels.
People on the Long Walk in Windsor, Berkshire. Extreme heat in the UK is causing an early harvest and forcing local authorities to impose a cyclone ban, with forecasters confirming that last month was Western Europe’s warmest June ever. Picture date: Friday, July 10, 2026. (Image: © 2026 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
Cambridge Water announces temporary hose ban for 350,000 customers; This marks the first time he has imposed restrictions in three decades.
Water minister Emma Hardy met with water company bosses last week to discuss preparations for a hot summer as supply shortages intensify. Authorities are keeping a close eye on East Anglia, Devon and Cornwall, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, while water companies are scrambling to manage increasingly scarce supplies.
South East Water imposed a ban on 3 July for Kent areas including Ashford, Canterbury, Faversham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Snodland, Tenterden and Tunbridge Wells.
Separately, the Met Police urged people to avoid contacting for non-emergencies at a time when 999 calls have increased during the hot weather and the World Cup.
BATH, ENGLAND – JULY 12: A hose pipe waters dry grass on the lawn in the garden of the village of Priston near Bath, England on July 12, 2025. The first regional cyclone ban of 2025 has come into force in Yorkshire following months of extremely hot and dry weather in England, with higher temperatures expected over the next few weeks. (Photo: Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (Image: Matt Cardy, Getty Images)
Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Matt Jukes appealed to the public to “stand back” on non-emergency calls.
Speaking on LBC Radio on Friday, ahead of the weekend when England will play again in the FIFA World Cup and temperatures are expected to remain high, he said: “We’ll see more call-outs. We’ll see more drinking. Hopefully we’ll see more great goals for England and we’ll see success.”
He added: “Call us for things we need. Please leave calls we don’t need to answer.”
“The officers outside are melting from the heat, but they’ll be there to come to you if you need us.”
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