The first hosepipe ban of the year has now come into force in the south of England with another to be imposed in seven days' time - and water companies have warned more will be needed across the country unless we have significant rainfall in the next few days. Southern Water has now introduced a hosepipe ban in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Bans have since spread to those across Kent and Sussex and are due to come into action next week. Further hosepipe bans are set to be announced this week and next, with many worried that these may impact their region.
Hosepipe bans are a delayed impact of the recent heatwave in July. The record temperatures of 40C plus caused water levels to run low in some areas, causing the driest July since 1911. This reduction has caused a knock-on effect for August, as there has not been enough rainfall to replenish water stores.
Spokesperson for KindWater, Harrison Brown, has predicted the next areas that may be hit with hosepipe bans.
If you live in any of the following areas, there is the potential for an imminent hosepipe ban:
- London (Thames Water)
- Thames Valley (Thames Water)
- Surrey (Thames Water)
- Kent (Thames Water)
- Gloucestershire (Thames Water)
- Wiltshire (Thames Water)
- Oxfordshire (Thames Water)
- Berkshire (Thames Water)
- Buckinghamshire (Thames Water)
- Wales (Welsh Water)
- The Wirral (Welsh Water)
- Cheshire (Welsh Water)
- Gloucestershire (Welsh Water)
- Herefordshire (Welsh Water)
- Devon (South West Water)
- Cornwall (South West Water)
- Dorset (South West Water)
- Somerset (South West Water)
- West Yorkshire (Yorkshire Water)
- South Yorkshire (Yorkshire Water)
- East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire Water)
- North Lincolnshire (Yorkshire Water)
- Most of North Yorkshire (Yorkshire Water)
- Areas in Derbyshire (Yorkshire Water)
As a result of the bans, more than two million people will be unable to water their garden, wash their car and fill their pond as non-essential water usage is banned. Several other water companies, including SES Water, Affinity Water and Anglian Water have mentioned that they are closely monitoring the situation, with no restrictions needed as of yet.
Experts recommend everyone uses water sensibly, such as:
- Cutting down your water usage by washing your car once a month or taking it to a designated site
- Purifying the water in your pond - but remember that you are exempt from a hosepipe ban if you have any fish or wildlife
- Ensuring your home is leak-free
- Using a bucket to clean your patio
- Purchasing a water can, which will enable to efficiently water your garden with ease
A hosepipe ban is not an emergency situation, so you should not panic and stockpile water. The length of a hosepipe ban varies, with previous bans lasting from three weeks to two months.
Harrison said: “A hosepipe ban is reflective of low water levels in the UK but is not considered an emergency. You are still able to drink tap water, shower and use water in a variety of everyday means, and it is only the direct action of using your hosepipe that is banned - whether garden sprinklers, irrigation systems or anything connected to the mains water supply.
"All this means is that you are unable to water your plants, clean your car or patio, or fill any ponds or swimming pools - which are all non-essential actions. Note that you are exempt if your pond contains fish or other wildlife, so please proceed as usual, as you will be able to supply them with fresh water without any consequences!
"In addition, hosepipe bans are only directed at domestic users, so if you are a garden centre employee or rely heavily on such a site, they will be unaffected!
"Hosepipe bans are a temporary measure, with no direct risk to customers’ water supplies, and have been implemented several times throughout history. The last ban was as recent as 2012, with the measures needed to allow water levels to replenish.
"We do warn anyone thinking of ignoring these rules that you can be prosecuted in a criminal court and fined up to £1,000, so it is always best to comply.”
