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.
>>> Deep Sea Mining Threatens Newly Endangered Ocean Molluscs and Desert Frogs
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.
