Thames Water announces hosepipe ban for over 10 million customers

Over 10 million people will face a hosepipe ban after Thames Water became the latest water company to announce usage restrictions.

The UK's largest water provider said the new restrictions will come into effect from 23 July, but that customers in the affected areas should abide by the new rules straight away.

Households have been told not to use hosepipes for non-essential uses, such as watering gardens, cleaning cars, filling up paddling pools or topping up hot tubs.

The decision follows recent periods of record hot weather and increased demand.

'Only 40% of average spring rainfall'

Thames Water said demand was currently around 10% above normal levels across the Thames Valley and Home Counties and 7% above normal in London.

In addition, it said the Thames Water region had only received 40% of average spring rainfall this year - with no rainfall so far in July within the Thames catchment area.

Met Office figures show that central and South East England have seen the longest unbroken spell of no recorded rainfall this century.

The provider warned that during peak periods, water had been used faster than it could be treated and moved through parts of the network, straining local supplies.

Nevil Muncaster, the director of strategic water resources at the company, said the firm "would not be taking this step unless it was necessary".

He added that: "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."

'Customers using an extra 100 million litres every day'

Thames Water said customers were using an extra 100 million litres every day - equivalent to adding all the homes in Manchester to the network.

Thames Water's new measures are the latest in a string of hosepipe bans.

Bans are also in place for Southern Water customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Cambridge Water customers, Affinity Water customers in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, and Anglian Water customers in the East of England.

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The Environment Agency revealed on Tuesday that large parts of southern, central and eastern England have moved closer to official drought status.

As well as pushing up demand as people consume more water, periods of hot weather can also lead to physical pressure on underground water pipes, leading to higher rates or bursts and leaks.

Thames Water stressed that it was repairing more than 750 leaks every week and continuing its biggest network upgrade in 150 years.

While the company said it plans for periods of dry weather and increased summer demand, it claimed the scale and duration of recent demand is having a "significant impact" on water resources.