Two major water companies have introduced mandatory hosepipe bans across parts of southern England to address critically low river levels following record-breaking summer heatwaves.
South East Water implemented its restriction covering 850,000 customers in Kent on Friday, July 3, 2026.
Southern Water's ban for over one million customers will take effect on July 10.
Southern Water stated that the River Test has lost a third of its flow within the last month.
Overall river levels are 25 percent lower than expected for this time of year.
“The warmest spring on record, followed by a record-breaking heatwave, has left river levels 25 per cent lower than expected,” the company announced.
“The River Test has lost a third of its water within the last month, putting pressure on our ability to treat and supply your water.”
The temporary use ban prohibits customers from using hosepipes to water gardens, clean vehicles, fill swimming pools, or wash outdoor surfaces.
Violators face fines of up to £1,000.
Tania Flasck, Director of Water Operations at Southern Water, said the drop in river levels occurred faster than anticipated.
“In June, we've actually seen a third of the flow and so the models have just not necessarily predicted that,” she said.
This marks the first time Southern Water has introduced consecutive annual bans. A previous emergency conservation order ran from mid-July until late October in 2025.
Southern Water reported cutting leaks by almost a quarter in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Since January, the company has found and fixed 2,840 leaks, saving approximately 27 million litres of water per day.
“While the hosepipe ban comes into force on 10 July, we’re asking customers to start reducing their water use now,” Flasck said.
“I want to thank people for the incredible efforts they made last year to save water during the hosepipe ban.”
Environmental Concerns
Environmental groups warned that excessive abstraction threatens fragile aquatic ecosystems.
Paul Vignaux, Executive Director of the Test and Itchen Association, noted that the region has no reservoirs and relies entirely on rivers and aquifers.
“When the flow gets slow the temperature rises and pollution gets concentrated,” Vignaux said.
“Fish are finding it difficult to navigate up and down the rivers and so they are hiding in ever shrinking bits of river where they can keep their temperature down.”
South East Water Chief Executive David Hinton said the surge in domestic water demand during the heatwave surpassed treatment facilities' refill capacity.
“To make sure we can maintain a consistent public water service and protect essential supplies for hygiene, drinking and cooking for everyone, especially our vulnerable customers, we must reduce overall demand,” he said.
The company stated that prosecution is a last resort and that the ban will likely continue until demand reduces to manageable levels.
Other regional utilities, including Thames Water and Affinity Water, have stopped short of full bans but urged voluntary restrictions.
Thames Water advised customers not to use hosepipes or sprinklers during heatwaves.
The Environment Agency and National Drought Group warned that rising temperatures will continue to stress infrastructure.
Helen Wakeham, National Drought Group Chair, said: “Heatwaves will continue to be a concern as they can drive spikes in water demand, so we need to continue to work collaboratively to use our finite water wisely.”
