Millions of people across southern England are now facing hosepipe bans as water companies respond to weeks of extreme heat and well below average rainfall. Thames Water, the UK’s largest water supplier, confirmed on Tuesday that restrictions would come into force from Thursday, affecting a huge chunk of the population in the south.
The bans mean households can no longer use a hosepipe to water their gardens, wash their cars, or fill paddling pools. Breaking the rules can result in a fine, so it is worth knowing exactly what is and isn’t allowed before you reach for the garden hose.
So what can you actually do to keep your garden alive?
The good news is that watering by hand is still allowed. Grabbing a watering can and doing things the old fashioned way is perfectly fine under the restrictions. It takes more effort, but it is far more efficient too since you can target water directly at the roots of plants rather than spraying it all over the place.
Collecting rainwater in a water butt is also still permitted and is one of the best things you can do during dry spells. If you haven’t got one already, they are relatively cheap and easy to attach to a drainpipe. Any water that falls on your roof gets collected and stored for exactly these kinds of situations.
Grey water, the stuff that goes down the drain from your bath, shower or washing up bowl, can also be used on the garden. It is not ideal for vegetables you plan to eat, but it works fine for flowers and shrubs. Just avoid using water that contains strong bleach or chemical cleaners.
Watering in the early morning or late evening makes a big difference as well. During the heat of the day, a lot of water simply evaporates before it ever reaches the roots. Watering when temperatures are cooler means more of it actually gets to where it needs to go.
For lawns, the advice from most experts is simple: don’t bother. Grass looks terrible when it goes yellow and dry, but it almost always recovers once the rain returns. Watering a lawn during a hosepipe ban is both banned and largely pointless given how much water it takes to make any real difference.
Will there actually be a drought this summer?
England has already seen record breaking temperatures in recent weeks, and the prolonged lack of rain has left reservoirs and groundwater levels significantly lower than they should be for this time of year. Water companies have been monitoring the situation closely and the decision by Thames Water to bring in restrictions suggests the outlook is not great.
Met Office forecasters have pointed to a pattern of high pressure sitting over the UK for extended periods, blocking the Atlantic weather systems that normally bring rain. While no one can say for certain what the rest of the summer holds, conditions are looking dry for the foreseeable future.
Drought is officially declared when there has been a prolonged period of below average rainfall that is starting to have a serious impact on the environment, agriculture, or water supplies. Parts of England are already meeting some of those criteria, and environmental agencies are keeping a close eye on river levels and soil moisture.
Farmers are among those most concerned. Crops need consistent water to grow properly, and prolonged dry spells can cause significant losses. Some agricultural areas in the south have already reported stress to crops following the recent hot stretch.
What else are water companies doing?
Aside from hosepipe bans, water companies are urging customers to cut back on everyday water use wherever possible. Simple things like taking shorter showers, turning the tap off while brushing teeth, and fixing dripping taps can add up to a meaningful reduction across millions of households.
Thames Water has also said it is working to reduce leakage from its own network, something the company has faced heavy criticism over in recent years. Campaigners have long argued that imposing restrictions on customers while vast amounts of water leak from ageing pipes is deeply unfair, and that pressure has not gone away.
The Environment Agency has said it is monitoring the situation nationally and will provide updates if conditions deteriorate further. For now, the message to people in affected areas is clear: be careful with water, find alternatives where you can, and check with your local water company to see exactly which restrictions apply to you.