Southern Water is imposing a hosepipe ban on one million customers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, starting July 10, 2026. This marks the second consecutive year the utility has enforced such restrictions, citing critically low water levels in the River Test, which supplies most of the region's water.
Immediate action urged
The company has urged households to stop using hosepipes immediately to reduce pressure on the water network. The ban is expected to remain in place until autumn unless there is significant and sustained rainfall. A separate ban for South East Water customers is already in effect in Kent.
Tania Flasck, Southern Water's director of water operations, told the BBC: 'In June, we’ve actually seen a third of the flow and so the models have just not necessarily predicted that. When we’ve actually measured the levels we’ve seen it’s dropped down a lot, a lot further and faster than we’ve anticipated.'
Record heatwave impact
The ban follows a record-breaking heatwave that pushed UK temperatures to 37°C, drying up supplies. The River Test reached critically low levels, exacerbating the situation. Last week, temperature records were shattered on three consecutive days, causing travel disruption at Heathrow and Gatwick airports and on railways across western Europe.
The extreme heat, amplified by urban infrastructure in cities like London and Paris, led to over 1,300 excess deaths across the continent. At least seven people drowned in UK open waters during the hot spell.
Weather outlook
While current temperatures have dropped below 25°C even in London and the South East, another warm front is expected over the weekend and into next week. MJim Dale, founder of British Weather Services, told Metro that the southern areas most in need of rain will remain dry, risking drought and potential extension of the hosepipe ban in Kent.
