Mapped: Is there a hosepipe ban in my area and what restrictions are in place?
A UK water company introduced a hose ban as temperatures began to rise, and households across the country have been advised to limit hose use.
South East Water has asked customers to stop all use of hoses. Its warning covers Kent, Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire and Sussex (both East and West).
It was stated that the total amount of water treated by the company on Sunday was 644 million liters; This is 56 million liters above the June average (588 million litres).
This means the UK is predicted to face potentially record-breaking heatwave conditions next week for the second month in a row.
South East Water is currently the only company with a hose ban. But Wessex Water asked customers to limit their use, writing on social media: “Grass is tougher than it looks. It copes naturally with hot, dry weather and bounces back quickly when rain returns.”
“With the weather getting warmer, this is an easy way to save water and can even help reduce weeds.”
Other parts of the UK are currently experiencing untimely water shortages due to supply issues. A third-party pollution incident has left homes around Easingwold and Tollerton, near York, facing low water pressure. Yorkshire Water confirmed it has installed bottled water stations for affected customers as it works to resolve the issue.
Meanwhile, a burst water main in Witney, west Oxfordshire, left homes with low pressure or no water. Thames Water confirmed it was working to resolve the issue.
As temperatures rise, various health warnings have been put in place; The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning covering areas including London, Swansea, Somerset and Birmingham from 9am on Wednesday until 9pm on Thursday.
An amber weather warning for temperatures covers all of Wales and England up to Blackpool between Monday and Thursday.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Mark Sidaway said: “Red alerts are reserved for the most severe events and we expect this heatwave to have severe and significant impacts, with health impacts likely to occur for many people, even beyond those normally more vulnerable to the heat.
“In addition to very high temperatures during the day, there will also be nights called tropical nights where the temperature does not drop below 20 degrees. This will make it very difficult for people to get rid of the daytime heat and will further increase the effects of heat stress.”
Forecasters said temperatures could reach as high as 40C in parts of England and Wales, breaking the record high temperature for June set in 1976 of 34C.
All households were urged to limit their water use ahead of the expected heat wave. Helen Wakeham, chair of the National Drought Group and water director at the Environment Agency, said: “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.”
