Thames Water has announced a hosepipe ban affecting 10.1 million people due to an "exceptionally warm and dry spring," meaning over a quarter of all Britons are now under a hosepipe ban.
The restrictions mean hosepipes cannot be used for watering gardens or allotments, cleaning cars, filling paddling pools or swimming pools, or cleaning windows.
The ban is in effect for all customers that are supplied with Thames Valley drinking water.
Approximately 27 per cent of Britons now face restrictions on their hosepipe usage, with a total of 18.75 million people - of the UK's 69.5 million population - affected.
Thames Valley said they have seen 40 per cent of average rainfall and more days at 34C or more than ever previously recorded.
Nevil Muncaster, director of strategic water resources, said: "We would not be taking this step unless it was necessary to protect water supplies for everyone and the environment."
The ban affects customers across parts of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Kent, Surrey, the Thames Valley, Greater London and the surrounding areas.
The water company added that water use is around 10 per cent higher than average in the Thames Valley and around seven per cent higher in London.
Mr Muncaster added: "Recent heatwaves and a very dry spring and summer have led to sustained high demand.
"While there is enough water for essential use, we need to reduce non-essential outdoor demand to keep taps flowing.
"Many customers have already reduced their water use and that support has made a difference. Thank you to everyone who has already changed their daily habits.
"Our teams are working 24/7 to keep water moving, fix leaks and support customers. We will keep the situation under close review and lift restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so."
Thames Valley said: "Water has been used faster than it can be treated and moved through parts of the network, placing additional pressure on local supplies.
"Customers should continue to use water for essential needs such as drinking, cooking, washing and hygiene.
"Buckets and watering cans can still be used, and there are exemptions, including where water use is necessary for health and safety reasons or for customers with severe mobility problems."
LATEST HOSEPIPE BANS:
A breakdown of the 18.75 million households impacted by each water supplier's restrictions:
South East Water wrote on its website: "Due to lower than average rainfall, continued hot weather and high demand, we’ve started to see a decline in river levels and need to protect some groundwater sources.
"This means we must now introduce hosepipe restrictions in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire to join Kent where there are already restrictions.
"We’re urging everyone across Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire who’s supplied by us to please follow these restrictions straight away, to protect your water supply immediately, and the local environment.
"The restrictions will be in force from 00:01 on Saturday, July 25, 2026. In Kent, hosepipe restrictions came into force from 00:01 on Friday, July 3, 2026."
