Thames Water announces hosepipe ban due to ‘exceptional dry weather’ and ‘sustained high water demand’
Thames Water has announced it is introducing a hosepipe ban from Thursday July 23 due to the spell of ‘exceptional dry weather’ and ‘sustained high water demand’, particularly across the area that includes Milton Keynes.
The company says water use is currently 10 per cent above normal levels in the Thames Valley and Home Counties regions.
The hosepipe ban, also known as a Temporary Use Ban, comes into effect from midnight on Thursday July 23, and means customers in the affected areas must not use hosepipes for non-essential activities, such as watering gardens, cleaning cars, filling paddling pools or topping up hot tubs.
Thames Water says it is asking customers to follow the restrictions immediately, prior to the official start date.
Customers are using an additional 100 million litres of water per day across London and the Thames Valley, which is the equivalent of adding all the homes in Manchester to the company’s network.
Thames Water says that during peak periods water is being used faster than it can be treated and moved through parts of the network, placing additional pressure on local supplies.
Director of strategic water resources at Thames Water Nevil Muncaster said: “We would not be taking this step unless it was necessary to protect water supplies for everyone and the environment.
“Recent heatwaves and a very dry spring and summer have led to sustained high demand.
“While there is enough water for essential use, we need to reduce non-essential outdoor demand to keep taps flowing.
“Many customers have already reduced their water use and that support has made a difference. Thank you to everyone who has already changed their daily habits.
“Our teams are working 24/7 to keep water moving, fix leaks and support customers.
“We will keep the situation under close review and lift restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Thames Water says there has been no rainfall during July in the Thames catchment, and that the scale and duration of recent demand is having a ‘significant impact’ on water resources.
Earlier this month, Anglian Water, which also serves customers across Milton Keynes, announced a hosepipe ban, which Milton Keynes Central MP Emily Darlington said “could last the whole month.”