BRITs are warned they could face fines of up to £1,000 for using garden hoses if water companies ban.
The changes are expected to affect at least 17 million people as the UK faces one of its driest years on record.
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Southern Water was the first to announce the measure – citing that river levels were dangerously low after a spike in demand during the record heat wave.
They warned that people could be fined if they use garden hoses to water gardens, wash cars or fill ponds and swimming pools.
Other suppliers, such as: Thames WaterSouth East Water and Walsh Water have also warned they could follow suit as they urged their combined 17 million customers to cut back on usage.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “Southern Water’s announcement of a temporary ban on its customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is one of several measures it and other water companies should consider to reduce unnecessary water use and reduce resources. customers and the environment.”
The ban is expected to come into effect next Friday and will affect 935,000 people in about half a million homes.
Only recently did a government source confirm the possibility of large-scale bans across the country amid the driest July since 1911. The mail.
The last ban on garden hoses in 2012 was introduced by seven companies, including Southern, Anglian, South East and Thames Water.
It comes as The Met Office continues to forecast that much of the country will be “dryer than average” next month with temperatures higher than normal.
Steve Turner, an expert at the UK Center for Ecology and Hydrology, said: “There is no suggestion of wetter weather in the southern areas of the UK in the near future.
“If that is the case, there is a good chance that river discharges, groundwater levels and reservoir stocks in the south of the country will continue to decline.
“This would increase the pressure on the water supply in the short term, and prolonged dry conditions would also have lasting effects on agriculture and freshwater wildlife.”
In 2019, the UK saw its first garden hose ban in seven years after steaming May temperatures.
And in 2018, a garden hose ban affecting millions of people in the north west of England was called off at the last minute after a torrent of rain.
Water supplier United Utilities had planned the ban for seven million households as of August 5, 2018.
But a sudden downpour at the end of the month prevented the 11th hour ban.
DRY PERMIT
Last week, The Sun exclusively revealed that Southern Water had sued for formal bans after ask the Environment Agency to issue a drought permit.
The company plans to continue drawing water from the River Test in Hants, where flows fell from 2,500 million liters per day in March to 500 million today.
The Consumer Council for Water said water companies are “walking a tightrope” as they try to balance demand with efforts to protect the environment.
It read: “With little rain on the horizon, the pressure on our water supply is likely to increase.”
Water UK urged Britons to “carefully consider” their water use after an “unprecedented” recent question.
In a statement, Southern Water said: “While we are in the process of applying for a drought permit, we are urging and reminding all customers in Hampshire to reduce water use where possible, to help us minimize the impact on the environment.” protect the river’s habitat.”