Thames Water: Hosepipe ban in London to start next week

Thames Water has confirmed a hosepipe ban covering London will start next week, on Wednesday, August 24.

Domestic customers should not use hosepipes for cleaning cars, watering gardens or allotments, filling paddling pools and swimming pools and cleaning windows.

The ban is expected to save up to a further 10% of water, as demand has risen by up to 50%.

Sarah Bentley, Thames Water chief executive, said: “Implementing a temporary use ban has been a very difficult decision to make and one which we have not taken lightly.

“After months of below average rainfall and the recent extreme temperatures in July and August, water resources in our region are depleted.

“Customer demand is at unprecedented levels.”

London has officially been declared as in drought, with no significant rainfall forecast by the Met Office.

It comes after the UK experienced the driest July in 137 years, the water company said.

While a series of stifling heat waves have baked the country in the hottest temperatures recorded since 1885, as the River Thames reached its lowest level since 2005.

Reservoir water levels have also fallen across London and the Thames Valley, prompting the provider to announce a temporary use ban last week, before confirming the date today.

Storage levels in London and Farmoor, in Oxfordshire, have reduced significantly and are now at levels not seen for around 30 years.

Water restrictions are part of the firm’s drought plan, aimed at keeping the taps on for essential use.

Thames Water says it is fixing over 1,100 leaks on its 20,000-mile network every week and has met its leakage reduction targets for the past three years.

While it is also drawing 120m litres of groundwater from its aquifer recharge system in London, to top up reservoirs.

Businesses are also asked to be mindful of the drought and to use water wisely.

Ms Bentley added: “I’d like to thank customers for their efforts to conserve water.

“Reducing demand means reducing the amount of water we have to take from the environment at a time when it is under pressure.

“I would also like to apologise to customers who have been affected by recent incidents. Our dedicated colleagues are working around the clock to manage this challenging situation.”