Hosepipe ban called off due to recent rainfall despite predicted UK heatwave this weekend

'Future restrictions are still a possibility if more rain doesn’t arrive'

United Utilities has called off its hosepipe ban for millions of customers in the northwest of England because recent rainfall has gone some way to helping with water supplies.

The ban, which was due to begin on 5 August, has been called off despite despite predictions of a second heatwave.

The mercury could climb back up to 31C in London and the south east this weekend, the Met Office has said, with sunshine returning to most of the country.

The company said slightly cooler temperatures, recent rainfall and water-saving efforts by customers meant it did not need to introduce a hosepipe ban at the moment.

But the firm warned there was still a possibility of restrictions if more rain did not arrive in the coming weeks.

Dr Martin Padley, water services director, said: “Given the improved position, helped by recent rainfall, we do not want to inconvenience customers unnecessarily at this time.

“However, the long-range forecast from the Met Office is one of relatively dry weather into the autumn, so future restrictions are still a possibility if more rain doesn’t arrive.”

In the southeast, Thames Water urged customers to save water as temperatures are set to soar beyond 30C again this weekend, pushing up demand.

Andrew Tucker, water efficiency manager at Thames Water, said: “There is plenty of water to go around but the sheer volume of water being used all at the same time across our 20,000km of pipes means it’s a challenge for us to produce it quick enough to meet demand.”

He said dozens of teams hit the streets in July to find and repair leaks as demand surged in the hot weather, with more than 1,000 being repaired a week, while offering to fix leaks on customer pipes for free.

“We don’t want to stop anyone enjoying our water but instead urge everyone to make some really small changes like using paddling pool water to give the plants a drink and using a watering can instead of a hose or sprinkler,” he said.

While London is set to sizzle again, the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland will enjoy temperatures in the mid-20s, with scatterings of rain.