Updates
Every change we have recorded this summer, newest first. Each entry cites the source it came from.
- Wessex WaterBan announced
Wessex Water declares its first hosepipe ban in 50 years, from 18 August
A Temporary Use Ban across the whole Wessex Water supply area from 00:01 on Tuesday 18 August, covering about 1.4 million water customers in Bath, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire. It is the company's first restriction since 1976.
- South West WaterBan announced
South West Water extends its hosepipe ban across the whole region, Cornwall included
A region-wide Temporary Use Ban from 00:01 Saturday 8 August, covering all of Devon and Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and parts of Dorset and Somerset. It supersedes the earlier Mid and East Devon restriction.
- Southern Water
Southern Water applies for a Drought Order and business water ban in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
An application to Defra, not a restriction. If granted it would limit non-essential BUSINESS water use. It does not change the household hosepipe ban already in force, and it may be refused.
- Essex & Suffolk WaterBan announced
Essex & Suffolk Water bans hosepipes for the first time since 1997
In force from 00:01 on Monday 3 August across the entire supply area, around 2 million customers. The company's first Temporary Use Ban in 29 years.
- Thames WaterBan announced
Thames Water ban takes effect across London and the Thames Valley
In force from 00:01 on Thursday 23 July for the roughly 10.1 million customers Thames Water supplies with drinking water.
- Welsh WaterBan announced
Welsh Water restricts parts of west Wales from 19 July
A single supply zone covering about 33,000 properties in Ceredigion, north Pembrokeshire and north Carmarthenshire. Not a Wales-wide ban.
- South East WaterBan announced
South East Water extends its ban to its entire supply area from 25 July
Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire come into force at 00:01 on Saturday 25 July under a second legal notice. Kent has been restricted since 3 July.
- Cambridge WaterBan announced
Cambridge Water ban becomes enforceable on 17 July
About 350,000 households in Cambridgeshire and parts of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. The South Staffs area, same group, is not covered.
- United Utilities
United Utilities confirms no restrictions in the North West
United Utilities has no hosepipe ban and none planned, covering around 7 million customers across Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside.
- South West WaterBan announced
South West Water restricts named areas of Mid and East Devon
In force from noon on Tuesday 14 July across named areas of Mid and East Devon. Cornwall, Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay are not covered by it.
- Affinity WaterBan announced
Affinity Water brings its Central region ban forward to 11 July
Affinity Water's statutory notice set 17 July, then the ban was brought forward to Saturday 11 July, citing critical supply pressure that weekend.
- Anglian WaterBan announced
Anglian Water declares its first hosepipe ban since 2012
Enforceable from 01:01 on Saturday 11 July across the East of England, covering more than 5 million customers. Hartlepool is explicitly excluded.
- Southern WaterBan announced
Southern Water restricts Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, not Sussex
In force from 00:01 on Friday 10 July across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, about 1 million customers. Sussex and Kent customers are not covered.
- Severn TrentAppeal issued
Severn Trent asks 8 million customers to save water, but sets no ban
A voluntary appeal to about 8 million customers across the Midlands, issued on 7 July, asking them to avoid mains water in the garden. No fine.
- South East WaterBan announced
South East Water restricts Kent from 3 July, the first ban of summer 2026
In force from 00:01 on Friday 3 July for about 850,000 customers in Kent. It was the first hosepipe ban of summer 2026, a week before the rest began.