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Thames Water will introduce a temporary usage ban, or hosepipe ban, in the coming weeks as the hot, dry weather is forecast to carry on, the company has confirmed.
It said the restrictions follow water efficiency campaigns earlier in the summer and refilling of its reservoirs over the winter in-line with its drought plan.
“Given the long term forecast of dry weather and another forecast of very hot temperatures coming this week we are planning to announce a temporary use ban in the coming weeks,” a spokesperson said.
“We have written to the Environment Agency to update them on our approach and informed Ofwat. The timing is not confirmed due to a number of operational and legal procedural requirements but we will be updating our customers, partners, regulators and stakeholders at the earliest time to ensure a coordinated approach. In the meantime we continue to urge our customers to only use what they need for their essential use.”
The company added that it has recently started supporting its supplies in other ways, including drawing water from its North London Aquifer Recharge System, which reduces the amount taken from its reservoirs.
Thames would be the fourth company to introduce restrictions after Southern imposed a ban in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from last Friday (5 August), South East Water announced a ban for parts of Kent and Sussex starting this Friday (12 August) and Welsh Water said it will follow suit in parts of Pembrokeshire another week later (19 August).
Until this summer, the UK had not faced hosepipe bans since 2012 when seven companies had to restrict water usage to protect sources during dry weather.
Rainfall was far below average for most of the UK during the winter, spring and this summer leading to companies increasing their water efficiency messaging.
The National Drought Group convened in July as the Environment Agency called for ramped up efficiency messaging to discourage people from wasting water.
A heatwave is forecast from Thursday and over the weekend for the UK. South West and Severn Trent have not ruled out the possibility of needing to impose restrictions.
Security of water suppky will be one of the themes discussed at the Utility Week Forum on 8-9 November in London. Find out more here.
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