It’ll come as no surprise to learn that becuase of the hot weather we’ve been experiencing, we had the driest spring in quite a few years. Because of that, Thames Water, the UK’s largest water company, has announced that from midnight tonight a ban on using hosepipes will come into effect.
Thames Water say that low rainfall levels, a higher demand for water than usual and forecasts predicting more hot weather mean they need everyone’s help to reduce non-essential water usage.
The ban will affect over 10 million customers from 23 July, but if you’re unsure who supplies your water, you can check on this handy website.
While there isn’t an end date for the ban, the water company will be monitoring water levels and lift any restrictions when they can.
Some areas in London, such as Uxbridge and Harrow, have already been impacted by a hosepipe ban from water supplier Affinity Water. Affinity says they’ve seen demand for water increase by 20%.
The dos and don’ts of the hosepipe ban
Londoners should not use their hosepipe to water their gardens, fill anything like a paddling pool or hot tub and for cleaning around the house e.g. washing the car, driveway, windows etc.
You can still use watering cans and buckets, which means your plants can still stay hydrated. If you have a water butt, now is the time to make use of the water collected in there. Thames Water are also urging customers to collect and reuse water from around the house, like excess water from cooking or washing ingredients.
Are there any exemptions to the ban?
There are some exemptions, including if you need to use your hosepipe for health and safety reasons, animal welfare such as looking after pets and watering crops or newly planted trees.
Some business services are exempt, but you can find the full list of exemptions on the Thames Water site. Waste water-only customers will not be impacted by the ban.
