Cambridge Water announced a temporary hosepipe ban for the Cambridge region on Thursday, July 9, 2026, scheduled to take effect at 1:00 a.
m. on Friday, July 17.
The restriction comes as a major heatwave drives water demand to unprecedented record levels across the United Kingdom.
According to Cambridge Water, local daily demand surged from a typical 86 megalitres to over 112 megalitres, representing a 30 percent increase following one of the area's driest springs and sustained summer heat.
The Met Office forecast temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees Celsius, prompting the UK Health Security Agency to issue amber heat health alerts across southern England, London, and the Midlands.
First Ban Since 1995 Drought
The restriction marks the first time Cambridge Water has implemented a hosepipe ban since the UK drought of 1995.
Company officials cited a statutory responsibility to shield groundwater sources and chalk streams from environmental degradation.
"We are incredibly grateful for the support of our customers at this crucial time," said Elena Karpathakis, Managing Director of Cambridge Water.
"We know how important reliable water supplies are to the communities we serve, and we are asking customers to work with us to reduce non-essential water use while this period of exceptionally hot and dry weather continues."
The company expanded its technical teams to locate and repair infrastructure leaks rapidly, noting that its current leakage levels remain among the lowest within the domestic utility industry.
"This is not a decision we have taken lightly – it is the first time in more than thirty years, since the UK drought of 1995, that we have had to introduce a temporary hosepipe ban," Karpathakis said.
"We have been doing everything possible to maintain supplies, but demand for water is currently at record levels."
Water usage limitations typically reduce overall demand by approximately five percent, helping to secure regional reserves during high-stress climate events.
"We have a responsibility to protect the groundwater sources and chalk streams that are such an important part of the local environment," Karpathakis said.
"We know customers expect us to do everything we can before asking them to do more."
Local partners and national regulators are actively collaborating with the utility firm to review supplemental contingency measures as dry weather persists.
"That's why we have increased our capability to find and fix leaks as quickly as possible, even though we already have some of the lowest leakage levels in the industry," Karpathakis said.
"We also continue to work closely with our regulators and local partners to explore every available option to maintain water supplies."
The firm emphasized that small, individual adjustments in daily household water management aggregate into highly significant regional savings.
"Every litre saved helps.
If each of us reduces our water use a little, together we can make a significant difference," Karpathakis said.
Other Utilities Under Pressure
Anglian Water, which supplies seven million customers across eastern England including Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex, also warned that a formal hosepipe ban is on the cards for Norfolk due to absent rainfall forecasts.
"Although we're not putting hosepipe bans in place at the moment, the situation is changing very quickly and we can't completely rule them out for this summer," said Ian Rule, Director of Water Services at Anglian Water.
The firm has instructed consumers to take shorter showers, utilize watering cans rather than hoses, and turn off taps while brushing teeth to mitigate rising pressures.
"Right now, we're facing another hot spell, and we know we're likely to see more of this weather this summer – not to mention the years to come," Rule said.
"Climate change and population growth are increasing pressure on our water resources.
By using a little less water where you can, you can help ensure there's enough for everyone, now and for generations to come."
Concurrently, Southern Water and South East Water have enforced active hosepipe bans in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and Kent, warning restrictions could last until autumn without substantial precipitation.
"We're in a resilient area, the Sussex area," said Tim McMahon, Director of Southern Water.
McMahon clarified during a Worthing roadshow detailing a £44 million infrastructure resilience plan that Sussex consumers face no immediate risk of a temporary use ban due to heavy prior rainfall.
"It's actually better than this time last year because of the heavy rainfall we saw.
So we're in a good position, so no risk of a temporary use ban in this area," McMahon said.
The executive highlighted that Worthing possesses versatile water rerouting options, though general conservation remains vital across the broader region.
The utility provider noted that regional dryness outpaces certain arid international climates, making ongoing public mindfulness necessary.
"But what I do urge customers to do is use water wisely.
The South East of England is a water scarce region - it's drier than Marrakech, drier than Sydney," McMahon said.
Meanwhile, South East Water moved its Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, and Surrey sectors to "red status," directing customers to temporarily pause all hose use for the next ten days to prevent formal mandates.
According to South East Water, regional water networks supplied 655 million liters on July 5, exceeding the July daily average by 67 million liters and threatening to empty elevated local storage tanks.
