Hosepipe ban – latest: Millions in Hampshire, Kent and Sussex told to limit water use
Fines up to £1,000 may be issued to anyone breaking the rules
A hosepipe ban has been announced for Kent and Sussex after southern England recorded its driest July on record.
Millions of people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight had already faced a hosepipe ban from 5 August.
South East Water became the latest company to announce water restrictions, which will come into effect on Friday 12 August and remain in place until further notice.
People in the areas with a ban will no longer be allowed to use a hosepipe to water a garden, clean a car us, fill a swimming or paddling pool among other activities.
If someone is found to have broken one of the rules they could be liable to pay a fine of up to £1,000, according to South East Water’s website.
It comes as Southeast England recorded only 8 per cent of average rainfall in July, the Met Office said on Monday, and the longterm forecast for August and September is similar.
‘Use what you need but please don’t waste it’- Welsh Water
In Wales, Welsh Water said water resources across the majority of the country were in a “reasonably good position” despite the dry period, but said it was concerned about Pembrokeshire, where average rainfall had been a lot lower than elsewhere.
“We are monitoring the situation very closely and communicating with customers there to urge them to use less water. The message is simple, use what you need but please don’t waste it,” the company said.
Some water companies say they are not anticipating having to bring in restrictions this year - but warned the autumn and winter would need to restock supplies.
Hosepipe ban: What are they, why are they imposed and where have they been announced so far?
If a hosepipe ban, sometimes called a temporary use ban, has been introduced in your area it means you must not use a hosepipe that is connected to your mains water supply.
The rules mean you must not use a hosepipe to water your garden, clean your car, fill swimming or paddling pools, ponds, clean windows, patios and paths.
Read more to find out why the restrictions have been introduced and where they’ve been announced so far in Britain.
What is a hosepipe ban and why are they imposed?
Restrictions in south-east England and London depend on winter rainfall, water company says
Affinity Water, which supplies water to parts of south-east England and London, said that it should not need to introduce restrictions this year, but was dependent on rainfall over the coming winter to refill groundwater aquifers for next spring and summer.
An Anglian Water spokesperson said: “Despite a very dry year so far, our reservoir levels are stable, at around 80 per cent full, and our groundwater sources are in reasonable shape too, so we’re not currently planning on any hosepipe bans this year,” but added river levels were being closely watched.
“Although one dry winter doesn’t give us cause for concern now, we also need to make sure we conserve enough water for tomorrow, next month and next summer too.
“Certainly if we have a second dry winter this year, we won’t be in the same position next spring,” the spokesperson said.
Yorkshire Water said the area had received some rain, which had slowed the rate at which water levels were falling in its reservoirs and enabled it to take some water from the area’s rivers.
Reservoirs in the region are 51 per cent full, down two per cent over the week, a spokesman said, adding that the message was still to ask customers to use water wisely
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