Hosepipe bans have been issued for 7 million UK homes – these are all the affected areas

Garden fork on lawn next to border with flowering plants.

The first hosepipe bans are coming into effect across the UK, following a third heatwave. These are the areas currently affected and how they apply to you.

You may have been wondering what is a hosepipe ban and the short answer is: it’s a ban on using a hosepipe connected to a mains water supply at your property. These typically come into effect after extended periods of low rainfall and are essentially a drought-prevention measure.