The UK has experienced a dry spell as a third heatwave of the summer hit
Parts of the UK will not be allowed to use a hosepipe (Image: Getty Images)
A number of water companies have introduced hosepipe bans in recent weeks as temperatures have exceeded 30C in some places and the UK basked in the third heatwave of the summer. Southern Water has become the latest company to bring in a hosepipe ban as England battles exceptionally dry weather.
The company said restrictions on hosepipes for activities such as watering gardens, filling paddling pools or washing cars would come in for households in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from Monday, July 21.
It is the latest announcement by water companies bringing in hosepipe bans in response to the driest start to the year since 1976 for England. Rainfall across England was 20% less than the long-term average for June, which was also the hottest on record for the country, with two heatwaves driving unusually high demand for water, the Environment Agency has said.
Earlier this week, Thames Water said about a million customers in parts of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire will be affected by the restrictions which come into effect from next Tuesday, July 22.
It follows on from hosepipe bans announced by Yorkshire Water and South East Water which started on Friday. South East Water has also advised customers in other areas not to use water at certain times of the day.
Drought was declared in East and West Midlands on Tuesday, with the region joining swathes of northern England in drought status. Southern Water’s water managing director Tim McMahon said: “We’re sorry we’re taking this step, but as other water companies have already done, we have to respond to the widespread and prolonged dry weather affecting our region.
The Met Office stated: “Despite the recent wet weather, many regions are still facing drought conditions. June saw average rainfall across the UK as a whole, but this masked significant regional disparities.
“Central and eastern England received only 50-60% of their average rainfall, while western Scotland and northwest England were much wetter.”
The weather agency added: “July began slightly wetter than average, but the past week has been notably dry, exacerbating existing issues. Rainfall expected later this week may help alleviate some concerns, particularly in southern regions, but eastern areas are likely to remain dry.”
You can look at our interactive map below to see what regions have been impacted by the hosepipe ban as the dry conditions continued across much of the UK. With the hot weather forecast to continue into July, water companies around the UK are monitoring reservoir levels and hosepipe bans may come into effect in other areas.
A hosepipe ban means households are not allowed to use a hosepipe to water gardens and plants, clean vehicles, fill swimming pools or ponds or clean paths, walls or windows. Customers who ignore the bans could face fines of up to £1,000.
Conditions are expected to be wetter across the UK into this weekend as yellow warnings for thunderstorms cover much of the country. Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly, said: “More warnings could be issued for the weekend and early next week. Keep an eye on the Met Office forecast for updates as the picture develops.
“Within the warm and humid airmass we will potentially see temperatures reaching 30°C or more for parts of eastern England by Friday, with very warm and muggy conditions continuing into the weekend in parts of central and southern England.”
“On Sunday, widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue, moving northwards across the UK throughout the day. There will be some drier and brighter spells between the showers and it will feel warm or very warm in sunshine, particularly in the east and southeast.”
