South West Water has announced a hosepipe ban affecting customers in parts of Somerset, as well as all customers in Devon and Cornwall, due to prolonged sunshine, multiple heatwaves, and reduced rainfall.
The company reports that the region has experienced significantly lower than average rainfall for this time of year, alongside increased water demand, putting considerable pressure on local water resources. The ban comes into effect at 12.01am on Saturday, 8 August, prohibiting the use of hosepipes for activities such as watering gardens, washing cars, patios, and boats, or filling swimming and paddling pools.
These restrictions apply to customers supplied by South West Water, primarily those living near the Devon border and certain areas of the Blackdown Hills. Meanwhile, households served by Wessex Water in the area are not currently subject to any hosepipe restrictions.
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Water use for essential purposes such as drinking, flushing toilets, washing, and cooking remains unaffected. South West Water is urging residents, businesses, and visitors to use water sparingly by adopting measures like taking shorter showers, turning off taps while brushing teeth, and running washing machines and dishwashers only when full.
Climate experts have identified last month as the driest July on record, with Devon, Cornwall, and much of the country now facing drought conditions.
“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,” said Sam Bottomley of South West Water. “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.”
He added: “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.”