Thames Water update on likelihood of London hosepipe ban

As the weather heats up, the question of a “hosepipe ban” is on many Londoners’ minds.

Thames Water introduced a Temporary Use Ban (TUB) or hosepipe ban across London and the Thames Valley last year from August 24 to November 22, following the driest July in 135 years.

Hosepipe bans are already planned or in place in other areas across the country.

South East Water are to introduce bans across Kent and Sussex from Monday (June 26) and they are already in place across the South West in Devon and Cornwall.

But Thames Water said the wet weather in the spring has put the area in “a good place”.

A spokesperson said: “We received higher than average long-term rainfall across London and the Thames Valley in seven of the past nine months.

“Our reservoir levels are above average for this time of year with London at 96%, Farmoor at 98% and ground water levels are mostly normal for the time of year.”

Nonetheless, the provider stressed the need for wise water-usage: “Water efficiency messaging is a key part of our business-as-usual strategy and following last year’s hot and dry summer we made the decision to start communicating with our customers from March.

“We have regularly shared a range of water saving tips via radio adverts, press alerts and customer newsletters.  

“As the weather heats up, so does the demand for water, which is why we are encouraging customers to use water wisely.

“Customers with outdoor space use up to 50% more water on hot days (temperatures above 25C).”    

Thames Water additionally provided some tips on saving water.

These included using a watering can in the garden, washing cars with a bucket and sponge and cutting showers to four minutes.

The water provider added: “It’s the excessive use that we all need to watch out for.

“Running a hose, whether into the garden or paddling pool, uses up to 500 litres per 30 minutes of use.”