THAMES Water has announced that a temporary use ban, or hosepipe ban, will come into effect on Wednesday, August 24.
The ban means that customers supplied by Thames Water are subject to restrictions on water use, even if they do not bill customers directly.
Around 15 million utilities users are expected to be affected.
It will mean that hosepipes will not be allowed for use in watering gardens or plants, to fill swimming or paddling pools, including hot tubs, or to clean cars or windows.Those with restricted mobility are exempt, such as Blue Badge holders or those on Thames Water’s Priority Services Register.
Those caught breaking the rules could be subject to fines of up to £1,000.
Hosepipes may be used for business purposes, or to fill pools for medical or religious purposes.
The ban would be the third implemented in England this year, after Southern Water’s bans in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and South East Water’s ban, came into effect on Friday, August 12.
Areas in blue on the map above are supplied by Thames Water and are subject to the temporary use ban.
Thames Water says that the ban is in response to below-average rainfall in 10 of the last 12 months, leading to the driest July on record, and heatwaves increasing demand for water.
The River Thames has reached its lowest levels since 2005.
It also says that low rainfall forecast for the coming months means it is looking to protect supplies for next summer.
Sarah Bentley, Thames Water CEO said:
“Implementing a Temporary Use Ban for our customers has been a very difficult decision to make and one which we have not taken lightly.
“After months of below average rainfall and the recent extreme temperatures in July and August, water resources in our region are depleted.
“Despite investing in the largest leakage reduction programme in the UK, customer demand is at unprecedented levels and we now have to move into the next phase of our drought plan to conserve water, mitigate further risk and futureproof supplies.”Thames Water estimates 150 litres of water are used per person every day, and says that reducing daily demand to closer to 100 litres is crucial alongside fixing leaks.
For more information about how the temporary use ban may affect you, visit: www.thameswater.co.uk
Map courtesy of Thames Water.
