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| South East Water hosepipe and sprinkler ban comes into force | South East Water hosepipe and sprinkler ban comes into force |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The ban will affect more than 1.4 million customers in Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex | The ban will affect more than 1.4 million customers in Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex |
| A hosepipe and sprinkler ban affecting more than 1.4 million people has come into force. | A hosepipe and sprinkler ban affecting more than 1.4 million people has come into force. |
| South East Water said demand for drinking water had reached "record levels" since May due to extended spells of warm and dry weather. | South East Water said demand for drinking water had reached "record levels" since May due to extended spells of warm and dry weather. |
| The temporary ban will affect households in Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex, the firm said. | The temporary ban will affect households in Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex, the firm said. |
| Under the restrictions, people are prevented from using hosepipes for watering their gardens, washing cars, windows and patios, or filling swimming and paddling pools. | Under the restrictions, people are prevented from using hosepipes for watering their gardens, washing cars, windows and patios, or filling swimming and paddling pools. |
| David Hinton, South East Water chief executive officer, said: "Despite asking for customers' help to use water for essential uses only, regrettably, we've now been left with no choice but to introduce this temporary use ban. | David Hinton, South East Water chief executive officer, said: "Despite asking for customers' help to use water for essential uses only, regrettably, we've now been left with no choice but to introduce this temporary use ban. |
| "We continue to monitor the long term weather forecast, and will review this decision on a regular basis." | "We continue to monitor the long term weather forecast, and will review this decision on a regular basis." |
| Anyone flouting the restriction could be fined up to £1,000. | Anyone flouting the restriction could be fined up to £1,000. |
| The firm said it saw the highest levels of water usage so far this year on 30 June, reaching 680-million litres - 105 million litres of water a day more than the average for summer. | The firm said it saw the highest levels of water usage so far this year on 30 June, reaching 680-million litres - 105 million litres of water a day more than the average for summer. |
| It said it continued to monitor the situation in its Western region, where it serves customers in parts of Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. | It said it continued to monitor the situation in its Western region, where it serves customers in parts of Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. |
| It follows a ban from Yorkshire Water which began 11 July – the first of 2025 – with Thames Water planning a ban from 22 July. | It follows a ban from Yorkshire Water which began 11 July – the first of 2025 – with Thames Water planning a ban from 22 July. |
| Southern Water's ban – affecting almost one million customers across Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight – will come into effect from 21 July. | Southern Water's ban – affecting almost one million customers across Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight – will come into effect from 21 July. |
| In May, Southern Water, SES Water and Affinity Water told the BBC they did not expect to introduce water use restrictions, such as hosepipe bans, in 2025. | |
| It comes as the UK has experienced three heatwaves so far this year, with the BBC Weather Centre confirming 1 July as the hottest day of the year when 35.8C was recorded in Faversham, Kent. | It comes as the UK has experienced three heatwaves so far this year, with the BBC Weather Centre confirming 1 July as the hottest day of the year when 35.8C was recorded in Faversham, Kent. |
| The Environment Agency has already said that some areas of the UK are either in drought or a "state of prolonged dry weather", after the second driest spring on record for England and the sixth overall across the UK. | The Environment Agency has already said that some areas of the UK are either in drought or a "state of prolonged dry weather", after the second driest spring on record for England and the sixth overall across the UK. |
| Periods of dry weather and low rivers can have consequences for the environment and wildlife," the Environment Agency said. | Periods of dry weather and low rivers can have consequences for the environment and wildlife," the Environment Agency said. |
| Hot and dry weather can increase wildfires, severely damaging vulnerable areas of heathland and moorland," a spokesperson said. | Hot and dry weather can increase wildfires, severely damaging vulnerable areas of heathland and moorland," a spokesperson said. |
| "Crop failure is also a major impact of drought while low water levels make navigation difficult on canals and some rivers." | "Crop failure is also a major impact of drought while low water levels make navigation difficult on canals and some rivers." |
| None of the water companies with hosepipe bans in place have specified exactly when restrictions will be lifted. | None of the water companies with hosepipe bans in place have specified exactly when restrictions will be lifted. |
| Will there be further hosepipe bans? | Will there be further hosepipe bans? |
| While some of the UK has experienced rain since the end of the last heatwave, the long-term forecast for some may be more concerning. | While some of the UK has experienced rain since the end of the last heatwave, the long-term forecast for some may be more concerning. |
| Southern and eastern areas of the UK are expected to experience drier than normal conditions through the next month until mid-August. | Southern and eastern areas of the UK are expected to experience drier than normal conditions through the next month until mid-August. |
| While droughts are complex to forecast, it may give an indication that with drier than average weather on the way, there could be further restrictions this summer. | While droughts are complex to forecast, it may give an indication that with drier than average weather on the way, there could be further restrictions this summer. |
| Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. | Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. |
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