Hosepipe ban introduced by South East Water as heatwave causes surge in demand

South East Water imposed a hosepipe ban across parts of southeast England after demand surged during the ongoing heatwave, the company said.

The utility treated and supplied 644m litres of water on Sunday 21 June, which was 56m litres above the average daily demand for June of 588m litres ^[1][2]. The restrictions cover Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. South East Water said the ban was necessary to help maintain supplies, particularly for customers living at the furthest points of the network or on higher ground ^[1]. The company warned that demand was likely to rise further as temperatures increase in the coming days ^[2]. Other water companies have also encouraged customers to reduce usage ^[1][2]. Wessex Water urged people to avoid watering their lawns, writing on social media that grass naturally copes during hot, dry spells and that reducing lawn watering is an easy way to save water ^[1]. In West Oxfordshire, a burst water main in Witney and a third-party pollution incident left homes with low water pressure or no water at all ^[1][2]. A district council spokesperson asked residents to check on vulnerable neighbours, friends and relatives, particularly if they are without water ^[1]. Yorkshire Water set up bottled water stations and delivered bottled water to customers on its priority services register ^[1]. South East Water remained the only company to issue a hosepipe ban at the time of the announcement ^[1].