Home / Environment / Drought Drives Hosepipe Bans Across England to Protect Rare Habitats
Drought Drives Hosepipe Bans Across England to Protect Rare Habitats
16 Jul
Summary
- Southern Water imposes hosepipe ban to protect rare chalk stream habitat
- Drought declared in East and West Midlands, with Yorkshire first to ban hosepipes
- Anglian Water may still need to restrict water use this summer
In response to the driest start to the year since 1976, water companies across England are implementing hosepipe bans to protect the environment. Last month, Southern Water announced restrictions on activities like watering gardens and washing cars for households in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, starting this Monday. The move aims to safeguard the Test and Itchen chalk streams, which supply most of the area's water but are at "critically low levels."
Earlier this week, drought was declared in the East and West Midlands, joining parts of northern England in drought status. Yorkshire Water became the first major utility to bring in a hosepipe ban last Friday, and Thames Water will follow suit next Tuesday for customers in certain areas. Meanwhile, Anglian Water, which serves 4.3 million customers in the East of England, says recent rainfall has prevented the need for restrictions so far, but a ban may still be required this summer if the exceptionally dry weather continues.
Water companies are working to find and fix leaks, but with high demand driven by heatwaves, they are urging customers to reduce usage by adhering to the bans. Protecting the environment and vital agricultural sectors is the priority as the UK grapples with the impacts of climate change.
