New hosepipe ban now in force for 10MILLION customers – check six rules you cannot break

THE UK’s biggest water supplier has enforced a hosepipe ban for 10million customers this morning, as eight UK regions edge closer to drought. The ban takes the total number of Brits under restrictions to 23million, with the majority coming into force in the South of England. 23million customers across England and Wales are now under temporary hosepipe ban restrictions Credit: Getty Thames Water has enforced a hosepipe ban on its over 10million customers this morning Credit: Alamy Thames Water has introduced a temporary hosepipe ban to 10million of its drinking water customers. From 00.01am this morning, regions across London, Thames Valley, Surrey, Gloucestershire, Kent, and Essex came under restrictions. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! On Tuesday, when the restrictions were announced, the water company said: “A temporary hosepipe ban has been announced for customers who receive their water supply from Thames Water. “We’ve been working around the clock to maintain water supplies, but we now need everyone’s help to reduce non-essential water use. “Customers affected by the ban are expected to follow the restrictions while it remains in place.” Now, 23million people across England and Wales are currently under hosepipe ban restrictions, with seven water companies rolling out these measures. Thames Water is the UK’s biggest water supplier, with millions of customers across the country Credit: Thames Water 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 imposed by the water supplier can face a £1,000 fine. Most read in The Sun This is not the case, however, if an approved exemption is in place, with a number of loopholes meaning you can still look after your garden. Even under a hosepipe ban, newly-laid garden turf can be watered for 28 days, new trees and saplings can be tended to, and a watering can may still be used. Any hosepipe use is also permitted when it concerns the welfare, safety, and health of people and animals, with Blue Badge holders and individuals on the Priority Services Register all exempt. The introduction comes as the Environment Agency warns that much of England has moved closer to drought status following an unprecedented third heatwave of the year. Hosepipe ban rules - what you can't use a hose for The rules of a hosepipe ban: No watering gardens using hoses or sprinklers No cleaning cars, boats or other motor vehicles No watering plants on domestic land No filling or maintaining domestic swimming or paddling pools No filling domestic ponds or fountains No cleaning outdoor surfaces like patios, walls or paths Eight regions across the UK have now been classified as having “prolonged dry weather” areas, including London, with six reservoirs classed as having “notably low” water levels. Thames Water customers have been using an extra 100 million litres of water every day to combat the hot temperatures, adding on to the 2.5billion litres of drinking water the company supplies already. Earlier this week, South East Water announced that 2.4million more of its customers would come under restrictions, with homes across Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire now impacted by the change. Anglian Water, Affinity Water, Cambridge Water, Southern Water, South West Water and Welsh Water have also introduced bans to customers. Thames Water has not yet confirmed how long this temporary hosepipe ban will last for its customers, just that it will stay in place “until water levels recover.” If your water supplier is affected, it is important to check their website to find out if your postcode is impacted by the changes. It is important to check your personal water suppliers website to find out if your postcode is impacted by the recent hosepipe bans Credit: Sun Picture Desk Comment now