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Hosepipe Ban: Why Essex Avoids Drought Restrictions
14 Jul
Summary
- Three water companies in East of England imposed hosepipe bans.
- Bans come into effect on July 17th for Affinity Water and Cambridge Water.
- Essex & Suffolk Water avoided a ban due to reservoir investment and network upgrades.
As of July 17th, 2026, three of the four main water companies serving the East of England have implemented hosepipe bans. Affinity Water and Cambridge Water will enforce these restrictions starting at 00:01 BST on July 17th. These measures are a response to exceptionally high water demand, approximately 20% above average, compounded by prolonged hot and dry weather conditions. Anglian Water has already imposed its ban, citing extreme circumstances that necessitate protecting the environment.
In contrast, Essex & Suffolk Water (ESW) has not required its customers to adhere to a hosepipe ban. This exception is attributed to strategic investments, including a £150 million expansion of the Abberton Reservoir completed in 2015, and a planned £1.5 billion investment between 2025 and 2030 to enhance its service and network. Despite avoiding a ban, ESW urges customers to use water judiciously due to lower river flows and high demand.
