July was the highest temperatures ever recorded in British history, with a preliminary reading of 40.3°C in Coningsby, Lincolnshire on July 19. The Met Office issued its longest-ever amber heat warning and its first-ever red warning for extreme heat about the conditions. As a result, many water companies have indicated that their reservoirs are low.
A garden hose ban effective August 5 for Southern Water customers.
The use of garden hoses to water gardens, clean cars, fill ornamental ponds and swimming pools is not allowed.
The company said the ban was a “vital step” to protect the habitats of the Test River and the River Itchen, where it draws water.
Southern Water explained: “Over the past eight months we have had very little rain – way below average. In fact, we are experiencing one of the driest years ever (in the past 131 years). river flows are now about 25% lower than they should be at this time of year, so we ask that you limit your use to reduce the risk of further restrictions and disruption to the water supply, but more importantly to protect our local rivers. “
The garden hose ban is in effect for areas in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for anyone who has their water supplied by Southern Water.
Below you will find a map with all postcode areas affected by the TUB.
The following activities are prohibited:
- Watering a garden with a garden hose
- Cleaning a passenger car with a garden hose
- Watering plants in domestic or other non-commercial buildings using a garden hose
- Cleaning a private pleasure boat with a garden hose
- Fill or maintain a domestic swimming or toddler pool
- Water wells, using a garden hose, for domestic recreational use
- Filling or maintaining a home pond with a garden hose
- Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain
- Cleaning walls or windows of residential buildings using a garden hose;
- Cleaning paths or patios with a garden hose
- Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces with a garden hose.
It is the first time since 2012 that a TUB has been seen in the region.
dr. Alison Hoyle, Director of Risk & Compliance at Southern Water, said: “We have not taken this decision lightly and we know that the temporary ban on use will affect our customers. We work with the Environment Agency to ensure we act responsibly to protect our environment. We ask everyone in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to do their part by supporting these measures and using only the water they need.
“We are experiencing one of the driest years in over a century and we have seen record temperatures. River flows are about 25% lower than they should be for July, equivalent to the loss of more than 25 million bathtubs. We ask our customers to help protect our rivers and the habitats that live there by reducing their water use. We believe that a temporary ban on use is a responsible and essential step to reduce the amount of water drawn from the Rivers Test and Itchen.”
Anglian Water has ruled out a garden hose ban for eastern England despite the dry summer.
Spokesman Regan Harris said Anglian Water officials would continue to monitor the situation but there was “no immediate cause for concern”.
She said: “We’re not proposing any restrictions at the moment, but we definitely need to consider the water we use, to make sure there’s enough to go around.
“If we get a second dry winter, it will look very different next year.”
despite the dry summer.
Spokesman Regan Harris said Anglian Water officials would continue to monitor the situation but there was “no immediate cause for concern”.
She said: “We’re not proposing any restrictions at the moment, but we definitely need to consider the water we use, to make sure there’s enough to go around.
“If we get a second dry winter, it will look very different next year.”