Hosepipe bans take effect across London
Thames Water will impose a hosepipe ban across most of London from midnight on Thursday, July 23, 2026, following the driest spring in years and three official heatwaves. The ban affects all Thames Water customers in London, the Thames Valley, and the Home Counties, where water demand has "soared," according to the company.
Affinity Water has already implemented a hosepipe ban in parts of West London, including Uxbridge, Harrow, and Feltham, as well as areas in Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, and Essex. South East Water (SES) has extended its ban to parts of South London near the Surrey border, adding to existing restrictions in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire.
Who is affected and what activities are banned?
Customers under the bans are prohibited from using hosepipes for non-essential activities such as watering gardens, cleaning cars, filling paddling pools, or topping up hot tubs. Exemptions apply for health and safety reasons or animal welfare needs.
Affinity Water stated it is not seeking to penalize individuals but may take further action against repeat offenders who continue using hosepipes after being warned. The company noted it is receiving less water than usual from the Grafham Water reservoir, which typically supplies about 10% of its total water.
Water demand and weather context
Thames Water reported a "significant" rise in water demand during recent heatwaves. Last month was the hottest June on record in the UK, with temperatures reaching 37.7°C in parts of England. The Met Office reported that 2026 is the first year ever with temperatures exceeding 35°C recorded in May, June, and July.
SES Water, which supplies South London households near the Surrey border, said it does not expect to introduce a ban this summer.
What happens if you break the ban?
While water companies emphasize education and warnings, repeat offenders may face enforcement actions. The bans are legally binding, and fines or other penalties could apply for persistent non-compliance.
