South West Water introduces hosepipe ban across South West as drought deepens

The Temporary Use Ban comes into force at 12.01am on Saturday, August 8, although the water company is urging customers to begin following the restrictions immediately to help conserve water.

Under the restrictions, customers must not use hosepipes for activities including watering gardens, washing cars, cleaning patios and boats, or filling swimming and paddling pools.

Essential household water use, including drinking, cooking, washing, flushing toilets and personal hygiene, will continue as normal.

The move follows one of the driest periods experienced in the South West in recent years, with rainfall remaining significantly below average for several months. The situation prompted the Environment Agency to declare drought status across the South West, alongside other parts of England.

The announcement also comes after the Met Office confirmed that England and Wales had provisionally recorded their driest July since records began, with southern England experiencing its driest July in records dating back to 1836.

Combined with prolonged hot weather and increased demand during the summer holiday period, the dry conditions have placed growing strain on rivers, reservoirs and water resources across the region.

South West Water said it had already taken a range of measures to maintain supplies, including maximising production at water treatment works and moving water around its network to areas of greatest demand.

Sam Bottomley, of South West Water, said: "After an extended period of exceptionally low rainfall, combined with sustained high demand during the warmer weather, our region's rivers and water resources are under significant pressure. This decision has considered the Environment Agency's drought status as well as the increase in demand in our region.

"Our teams have been working tirelessly to protect supplies for customers. We've maximised water production wherever possible, increased leak detection and repairs, moved water around our network and introduced a wide range of operational measures to make the best use of the water available.

"Introducing a hosepipe ban is never a decision we take lightly, and we fully appreciate the inconvenience it will cause. However, these temporary restrictions are an important step in helping to protect our rivers and essential water supplies for homes, businesses and critical services across the region.

"Every litre saved now will help protect our rivers and water resources while drought conditions continue. By making small changes to how we use water, our customers can make a real difference."

South West Water is also encouraging customers, businesses and visitors to reduce water use wherever possible by taking shorter showers, turning off taps while brushing their teeth and only using washing machines and dishwashers with full loads.

The company said it will continue monitoring the situation closely and provide updates as drought conditions develop.

The hosepipe ban follows the Environment Agency's decision in late July to move Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly from "Prolonged Dry Weather" to official drought status after the warmest spring on record and a succession of heatwaves left rivers and groundwater under increasing stress.

Further information on the temporary restrictions, exemptions and advice on saving water is available at: https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/environment/water-resources/hosepipe-ban.