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Drought: Three water fiirms set to lift hosepipe bans Drought: Three water firms set to lift hosepipe bans
(40 minutes later)
Two water companies have said they will lift their hosepipe bans this week. Three water companies have signalled they will lift their hosepipe bans.
Anglian Water and Southern Water were among seven firms to put restrictions on water use in April to combat drought in southern and eastern England. Seven firms put restrictions on water use in April to combat drought in southern and eastern England after two unusually dry winters.
But the restrictions were followed by record rainfall across England that month and more rain in May and June.But the restrictions were followed by record rainfall across England that month and more rain in May and June.
The companies said their hosepipe bans would end on Thursday after an official announcement on Wednesday. Thames Water also signalled it would lift its ban. Anglian Water and Southern Water are to announce on Wednesday their bans will end on Thursday. Thames Water said it would also lift its ban.
Last week, the Environment Agency said wet weather had significantly improved river levels and reservoir stocks and reduced the risk of drought and widespread water restrictions this summer.
Rain and flooding
Heavy rain since the weekend has caused flooding in Wales and some parts of southern England.
On Tuesday, the village of Elmer in West Sussex was evacuated after days of rain.
The Environment Agency has five flood warnings and 30 flood alerts in place in south-west and eastern England.
As yet, there are no severe flood warnings - the highest alert, meaning there is a danger to life.
BBC Weather said there could heavy showers in western areas on Wednesday, which could cause flooding.
The Met Office has issued a weather warning for Wednesday for south-west England and Wales.
It said heavy showers could lead to surface water flooding, particularly in west Wales, where the ground has been saturated by recent heavy rain.
Environment Agency Wales said river levels were not expected to rise much further, but also warned that "heavy showers could lead to localised flooding of roads from blocked drains or small streams".
On Saturday about 1,000 people were moved to safety from flooding in mid-Wales, with an estimated 150 rescued.
As the clean-up continues, scientists are to investigate whether severe flooding near Aberystwyth has contaminated land with harmful metals from abandoned mines.
Rain and surface water flooding on Tuesday caused more disruption around the country, including:
  • More than 20 people were rescued from flooded caravans at two holiday parks in West Sussex
  • Another 16 people were rescued from the Sussex Beach holiday park in Bracklesham
  • Fire crews across West Sussex dealt with more than 650 emergency calls in 18 hours - the same number they usually receive in a month
  • Seven schools in Bognor Regis and Chichester were closed, and another two partly closed, because of the conditions
  • Felpham Community College was also closed and exams cancelled after roads there became too dangerous to use
  • Kent County Cricket Club was forced to move its match against Sussex to Canterbury
The adverse weather is also affecting roads in various parts of the country and the BBC's Travel Unit has full details of delays and incidents on its website.
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The Environment Agency has urged people to remain vigilant and to check its website for the latest information.
It "strongly" advised the public to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through floodwaters.
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