The UK’s biggest water supplier has become the sixth to confirm plans to prevent customers using a hosepipe due to the hot weather and lack of rainfall
Thames Water has announced a hosepipe ban for its 16 million customers after the exceptionally dry hot heather and high demand.
The restriction, also known as a temporary use ban, will come into effect at just after midnight on Thursday.
The UK’s biggest water firm is asking households to follow the ban immediately ahead of its official start date. It means customers must not use hosepipes for any non-essential activities, such as watering gardens, cleaning cars, filling paddling pools or topping up hot tubs.
People can still use buckets and watering cans and there are exemptions, including where water use is necessary for health and safety reasons or for customers with severe mobility problems.
Thames gave no indication about how long the ban would be last. It said it will “continue to monitor water levels and conditions” and that restrictions will be lifted as “soon as conditions allow”. And it added: “We need prolonged and significant rainfall.”
The move by Thames means around 24 million households and businesses will be subject to hosepipe bans across the country. Around eight million already faced being fined for using a hosepipe as supplies react to the ongoing hot weather. On Monday, South East Water became the latest company to announce temporary restrictions for 2.4 million customers in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire from Saturday, having already had a ban in place in Kent.
Hosepipe bans are enforced by water companies, who have the authority to impose fines of up to £1,000 on those who violate it. Anticipating questions from customers, Thames said: “You don’t need to contact us about neighbours using hosepipes. We will get in touch with customers who repeatedly don’t follow the rules. This is to make sure they’re aware of the restrictions and how to use water responsibly.” It stressed: “Please do not call 999 if you see someone using a hosepipe.”
Thames also confirmed that customers wouldn’t be entitled to compensation as a result of the ban and the disruption caused.
The move comes amid speculation that the debt-drenched supplier could be nationalised. The possibility has increased after the arrival of Andy Burnham as PM, given the former Mayor of Manchester has previously backed the idea.
Thames Water said use is currently 10% above normal in the Thames Valley and the Home Counties, as well as 7% above normal in London. The high demand coincides with ongoing hot temperatures that followed three unprecedented heatwaves in three months and the driest spring on record for England and Wales.
Nevil Muncaster, director of strategic water resources at Thames Water, said: “We would not be taking this step unless it was necessary to protect water supplies for everyone and the environment.
“While there is enough water for essential use, we need to reduce non-essential outdoor demand to keep taps flowing. Many customers have already reduced their water use and that support has made a difference. Thank you to everyone who has already changed their daily habits.”
Mr Muncaster added that Thames Water teams are working around the clock to keep water moving, fix leaks and support customers.
“We will keep the situation under close review and lift restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so,” he added. The ban applies to customers that Thames Water supplies with driving water, but does not apply to waste-only customers or those supplied by another water company.
Thames confirmed the ban a week after its fatcat boss insisted he “deserved” a pay rise to almost £1million despite the firm facing a possible taxpayer rescue. The company’s annual report revealed Chris Weston’s annual salary surged from an already bumper £869,000 to £995,000 from April 1.
