A temporary hosepipe ban has been announced for customers who receive their water supply from Thames Water with effect from Thursday 23 July 2026.

Given Thames Water is £20bn in debt, it is a pity they did not introduce a ban on increasing salaries for their directors.

What you shouldn’t do

Do not use a hosepipe or pressure washer to do any of the following:

• do not water your garden, lawn, or allotments
• do not fill a paddling pool, swimming pool, or hot tub
• do not use a sprinkler or a jet washer
• do not clean your vehicle, patios, paths, driveways, walls, windows, or any outdoor areas

What you can do

During the hosepipe ban, you can still:

• keep plants and gardens watered with a watering can
• make use of water collected in a water butt
• wash your car using a bucket
• collect and reuse water from your home, such as water left over from cooking vegetables or rinsing fruit and vegetables, to water plants

Check if you’re exempt

Some customers, activities and businesses may be exempt from the hosepipe ban, including:

• Thames Water wastewater only customers
• health and safety needs
• animal welfare, including pets, livestock, and fish
• some business services and activities
• watering food crops and certain newly planted trees
• priority services customers who cannot reasonably adjust their water use because of a disability or medical condition