10,000,000 more people are now under a hosepipe ban

| Senior science and technology reporter Published July 21, 2026 12:32pm Updated July 21, 2026 1:03pm Temperatures in London are only just starting to lower – slightly (Picture: Amer Ghazzal/Shutterstock) Millions of people in London and the south east of England are now under a hosepipe ban. Thames Water announced the ban today, saying it comes after weeks of hot, dry weather and multiple heatwaves. The restriction, a prohibition on the use of water for lawns and gardens, will begin from 00.01am on Thursday. When it will end is unclear. The water supplier said: ‘We’ve been working around the clock to maintain water supplies, but we now need everyone’s help to reduce non-essential water use.’ Thames Water also blamed increasing demand for why the restriction, also called a temporary use ban, is needed. Use is 10% above normal in the Thames Valley and the Home Counties, as well as 7% above normal in London. London, meanwhile, is experiencing its longest dry spell since 2018. Other than the odd shower on July 5, the capital hasn’t seen it properly bucket it down in 23 days. What does a hosepipe ban mean? London has faced three heatwaves this year (Picture: Maureen McLean/Shutterstock) People can no longer use hosepipes, sprinklers and pressure washers for non-essential activities. By this, Thames Water means watering lawns or gardens, cleaning cars, filling paddling pools or topping up hot tubs. You can still fill up a watering can or bucket from the tap, or a water butt. There are a few people exempt from the ban, like window cleaners. A full list will be published Thursday. Failing to comply with the ban could result in a £1,000 fine. Some parts of London are in a mile drought, defined as areas where demand far outstrips rainfall, according to the UK Drought Map. Some parts of the country have even seen an increase in wildfires amid what experts told Metro is a ‘firewave’. 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. Latest London news ‘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.’ Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. Or you can submit your videos and pictures here. For more stories like this, check our news page. Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. Arrow MORE: Zara’s cheaper sister brand to open first UK store in northern city this summer Arrow MORE: Girl, 11, died in River Thames while trying to rescue friend’s shoe Arrow MORE: TikTok famous takeaway destroyed by fire day after it reopened following forced closure News Updates Stay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.