Hosepipe ban map: Where restrictions are in place as UK faces third heatwave
Millions of water customers in the UK will be banned from using hoses in the coming days and weeks as the third heatwave of the year sparks fears of drought.
The temperature continues to break records; the country recorded its eighth day of 34 degrees or above in a single calendar year, breaking the seven-day high seen in 1976 and 2020.
The Met Office has confirmed that June 2026 is also the warmest date on record for the UK; The highest temperature was 37.7°C in Lingwood, Norfolk, on 26 June. The previous record was set in Southampton in June 1976 with 35.6 degrees.
UK officials have recently warned that the risk of drought conditions in parts of the country is becoming increasingly likely as authorities keep a close eye on East Anglia, Devon and Cornwall and water companies scramble to manage increasingly scarce supplies.
Anglian Water, which serves much of the east of England, became the latest company to announce the ban, which will come into force on Saturday, July 11. The company has more than 5 million customers in the region, making it the UK’s largest.
Anglian Water’s head of strategic asset planning, Dr Geoff Darch, said: “This year has been extremely hot and dry and we are already into our third heatwave of the summer.
“Persistent hot weather increases the challenge of balancing supply and demand, and we are now at the point where we need to ask our customers for help by turning off hoses, letting grass turn brown, cars getting dirty, and using water more wisely to help protect the environment and ensure water remains available to all customers.”
This comes after South East Water introduced an official temporary hose use ban covering most of the Kent area on Friday 3 July. It comes just a week after the county implemented one during the June heat wave.
Southern Water also confirmed there will be a cyclone ban in place for customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from Friday 10 July.
Cambridge Water announces temporary hose ban for 350,000 customers; This marks the first time he has imposed restrictions in three decades.
Households across the country have been advised to limit their use, while some companies are asking customers to halt hose activity as much as possible, barring a complete ban.
A tornado ban is different from an advisory announcement. Anyone caught breaking an official ban can be fined up to £1,000.
Others asked customers to limit their use during extreme heat.
Thames Water, which serves Greater London, advises: “At times we use water faster than we can deliver it through our network.
“Reducing your use at home, especially outside, will make the biggest difference. That’s why we ask our customers not to use hoses or sprinklers during heatwaves.”
Meanwhile, Affinity Water writes to online customers: “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 Safety Agency (UKHSA), lasting until Sunday 12 July and covering every region except the North East, where a yellow alert is in place.
While this week’s heat may be less severe than the heatwave in June, it will continue to pose health risks and challenges for water companies still recovering from the impact of the event.
All households have been asked to limit water use during heatwaves. Helen Wakeham, chair of the National Drought Group and the Environment Agency’s water director, said in June: “We enter the summer in a generally positive position, but we can never become complacent ahead of these critical dry months.
“Heat waves will continue to be a concern as they can cause sudden increases in water demand, so we need to continue to work collaboratively to use our limited water wisely.
“While many of us are enjoying the warm weather, we’re asking everyone to be mindful of their water use. Every drop saved leaves more available space for farmers, our local rivers and wildlife.”
