Thames Water gives update on London hosepipe ban

Thames Water has given an update to its customers on the hosepipe ban that has been in place since the record-breaking dry summer.

The water company has had a hosepipe ban in place since July for more than 10 million people who get their water supplies from the company in London, the Thames Valley and the home counties.

Much of England, including London and the South East, remains in drought following an extremely dry spring and summer that was also marked by successive heatwaves and hot weather, putting extra pressure on water resources.

As a result, Thames Water has warned its millions of customers that “significant and prolonged rainfall” is needed before the current hosepipe ban can be lifted.

While rainfall in September was “very welcome”, it has not been enough to overcome the prolonged dry weather the region has experienced since the spring, the company said.

Thames Water said rainfall between March and August was less than half the average, with August seeing 28mm of rain in the Thames catchment – just 43% of the long-term average.

The amount of rain so far in September is also well below the long-term norm.

Millions of people have been banned from using hosepipes (PA Archive)

London reservoir storage was at 59% as of mid-September, well below the 78% average for the time of year, and Farmoor Reservoir, near Oxford, was at 75%, below the 93% average.

Julie Morton, head of water resources at Thames Water, said: “While the rainfall we have seen in September is very welcome, it has not been enough to overcome the impact of the prolonged dry weather we’ve experienced since spring.

“Across our region, rainfall between March and August was less than half of what we would normally expect, and while some river levels have responded to recent rain, groundwater and soil moisture remain significantly below average.

“We will need significant and prolonged rainfall over the coming weeks to be able to consider lifting the restrictions that remain in place.

“We know restrictions are frustrating and we’re grateful to customers for continuing to use water carefully.

“Every reduction in water use helps protect supplies for customers, communities and the environment.”