After such a dry and hot year and increased demands for water, Thames Water has announced a hosepipe ban as part of its drought management plan.
In some areas during the particularly hot weather, water demand rose by 50% compared to the norm for the time of year.
The hosepipe ban, also known as a temporary use ban, will come into effect across London and the Thames Valley at 00:01 BST, 24 August 2022
This means that domestic customers are NOT allowed to use a hosepipe connected to mains water to:
- Clean cars
- Wash windows
- Use sprinkler systems
- Fill paddling pools
- Fill ponds (unless to conserve life of fish or aquatic animals)
- Fill hot tubs or swimming pools
- Water gardens
- Use home power/jet washing systems
You can still carry out these activities with the use of a bucket or watering can. You can also connect a hose to a water butt.
Although the ban does not cover business use, Thames Water would also like to ask businesses to be mindful of their water consumption.
Are hosepipe bans here to stay?
Maybe, but maybe not. Sarah Bentley, CEO of Thames Water since the end of 2020, has launched a plan to reduce current ‘underperformance’. The plan has three pillars: fix the basics, raise the bar and shape the future. There seems to be a big drive in two areas – awareness and reduction of consumption and fixing holes in the system.
To read more about this and read quotes from Sarah about the current situation, head to: https://www.thameswater.co.uk/about-us/newsroom/latest-news/2022/aug/thames-water-hosepipe-ban-2022
