Hosepipe ban is finally LIFTED for 33,000 homes as heavy rain to hit parts of UK this week

HOSEPIPE ban restrictions have finally ended for 33,000 households as water levels recover. Weather conditions are continuing to get wetter and cooler moving into autumn, as parts of the UK are set to be hit with heavy rain. Welsh Water becomes the first water supplier of the year to remove hosepipe ban restrictions Credit: Getty Welsh Water, or Dŵr Cymru, has lifted a hosepipe ban for around 33,000 households after improvements to water resources were made. This comes as the entirety of Wales remains under drought status following low rainfall and high temperatures over the summer. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Customers who are served by the Mid and South Ceredigion water network, including parts of Ceredigion, north Pembrokeshire and north Carmarthenshire, have faced restrictions since mid July. According to Welsh Water, the restrictions were introduced as an “emergency measure following a prolonged period of exceptionally high demand for drinking water”. Recent rainfall, a temperature drop, children returning to school and the end of summer tourism have all helped replenish water supplies and restrictions are no longer necessary. Heavy rain is also set to hit parts of the UK this evening, with Wales, the Midlands, and southern England set to be the most affected. Kit Wilson, Welsh Water’s chief customer officer, said: “I’d like to say a sincere thank you to everyone who supported us during the Temporary Use Ban. “We know these restrictions were inconvenient, particularly during the summer holidays, and we’re extremely grateful to customers for the way they responded.” Most read in The Sun Hot temperatures saw parts of Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire affected Credit: Welsh Water Full list of Welsh Water locations where hosepipe ban restrictions have been lifted Mid and South Ceredigion Llanon Llangwyryfon Cwm Ystwyth North Pembrokeshire Crymych Llanfyrnach Nevern North Carmarthenshire Pencader Hermon Under a temporary use ban, customers cannot use a hosepipe, sprinkler or pressure washer for various activities, such as watering plants or filling up hot tubs. Anyone caught breaking the rules can face a £1,000 fine, unless an approved exemption or loophole is in place. Eleven water companies have introduced hosepipe bans over the summer months, with more than 27million people in England currently facing restrictions. A summer consisting of five consecutive heatwaves, record-breaking highs of over 38C, and exceptionally dry conditions have left nearly three-quarters of England and the entirety of Wales under drought status. Last month, Britain’s largest water company, Thames Water, suggested that hosepipe ban restrictions could remain in place until the end of the year, affecting more than 10million customers. Despite lifting restrictions, Welsh Water has encouraged customers to continue to use water wisely and help protect resources moving into autumn and winter. Comment now